An artificial pacemaker can restore normal heart rate and rhythm. Many rhythm disorders, especially tachycardias, respond to medications. Several drugs are available and more are being developed. These can't cure an arrhythmia, but they can improve symptoms by preventing episodes from starting, slowing the heart rate during an episode or shortening how long an episode lasts. Sometimes several drugs must be tried before the right one is found.
All medications have side effects, including drugs used to treat arrhythmias.
Many side effects aren't serious and go away when the dose is changed or the medication stopped. But some side effects are very serious. That's why you might be admitted to the hospital to start the medication. A common side effect of many anti-arrhythmic medications is a slow heart rate. If the medicine must be taken to prevent fast heart rate problems, a pacemaker may be necessary.