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Class 4 Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Verapamil and Diltiazem

Verapamil and diltiazem are non‑dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers classified as Class IV antiarrhythmics, primarily used to slow atrioventricular (AV) nodal conduction and control ventricular rate in supraventricular tachyarrhythmias such as atrial…

Pharmacology Mentor September 17, 2023

CVS Pharmacology

Antiarrhythmic drugs: Class III – Amiodarone and others

#Amiodarone Structure Class III antiarrhythmics predominantly prolong cardiac repolarization via potassium channel blockade, with amiodarone as the prototypical agent and additional options including dofetilide, sotalol, ibutilide, and dronedarone chosen based on structural…

Pharmacology Mentor September 17, 2023

CVS Pharmacology

Antiarrhythmic drugs: Beta-adrenoceptor-blocking drugs (Class 2)

Introduction Among the diverse categories of drugs used to manage cardiac arrhythmias, beta-adrenoceptor-blocking drugs (beta blockers)—classified as Class 2 antiarrhythmics under the Vaughan Williams scheme—play a pivotal role in controlling aberrant…

Pharmacology Mentor September 17, 2023

CVS Pharmacology

Antiarrhythmic drugs: Propafenone (Class 1C)

Propafenone is a Class 1C antiarrhythmic that produces potent, use‑dependent blockade of fast cardiac Na+ channels with slow unbinding kinetics, resulting in marked conduction slowing and QRS widening, and it…

Pharmacology Mentor September 17, 2023

CVS Pharmacology

Antiarrhythmic drugs: Flecainide (Class 1C)

Flecainide is a Class 1C antiarrhythmic agent widely used for rhythm control in atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, particularly in patients without significant structural heart disease. The following summarizes its pharmacology, clinical…

Pharmacology Mentor September 17, 2023

CVS Pharmacology

Antiarrhythmic drugs: Mexiletine (Class 1B)

Mexiletine is an oral Class IB antiarrhythmic and sodium channel blocker structurally related to lidocaine, used primarily for ventricular arrhythmias and selected channelopathies such as LQT3 where late sodium current…

Pharmacology Mentor September 17, 2023

CVS Pharmacology

Antiarrhythmic drugs: Lidocaine (Class 1B)

If you trained in a time when every crash cart seemed to include “lido,” you remember lidocaine as the go-to antidote for ugly ventricular ectopy. Today, it has a more…

Pharmacology Mentor September 17, 2023

CVS Pharmacology

Antiarrhythmic drugs: Disopyramide (Class 1A)

Introduction Disopyramide is a Class 1a antiarrhythmic agent, primarily used in the treatment of ventricular tachycardia. It functions as a sodium channel blocker, inhibiting conduction by depressing the increase in…

Pharmacology Mentor September 17, 2023

CVS Pharmacology

Antiarrhythmic drugs: Quinidine (Class 1A)

Overview and Learning Objectives By the end of this chapter, you should be able to: Describe the chemical origin, classification, and electrophysiologic actions of quinidine. Explain its pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and…

Pharmacology Mentor September 17, 2023

CVS Pharmacology

Antiarrhythmic drugs: Procainamide (Class 1A)

Procainamide is a Class IA antiarrhythmic that blocks fast INaINa channels and prolongs repolarization via its active metabolite N-acetylprocainamide (NAPA), making it useful for acute management of a variety of ventricular and…

Pharmacology Mentor September 17, 2023

Class 4 Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Verapamil and Diltiazem

Antiarrhythmic drugs: Class III – Amiodarone and others

Antiarrhythmic drugs: Beta-adrenoceptor-blocking drugs (Class 2)

Antiarrhythmic drugs: Propafenone (Class 1C)

Antiarrhythmic drugs: Flecainide (Class 1C)

Antiarrhythmic drugs: Mexiletine (Class 1B)

Antiarrhythmic drugs: Lidocaine (Class 1B)

Antiarrhythmic drugs: Disopyramide (Class 1A)

Antiarrhythmic drugs: Quinidine (Class 1A)

Antiarrhythmic drugs: Procainamide (Class 1A)

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