Buy backpacks, exercise machines, athletic shoes, and more at Fogdog Sports. Further Reading Definition Antiarrhythmic drugs are medicines that correct irregular heartbeats and slow down hearts that beat too fast. The pace is controlled by electrical signals that begin in one part of the heart and quickly spread through the whole heart. If something goes wrong with this control system, the result may be an irregular heartbeat, or an arrhythmia.
Antiarrhythmic drugs correct irregular heartbeats, restoring the normal rhythm.
If the heart is beating too fast, these drugs will slow it down. By correcting these problems, antiarrhythmic drugs help the heart work more efficiently. Do not confuse quinidine with quinine, which is a related medicine with different uses, such as relieving leg cramps. The recommended dosage depends on the type of antiarrhythmic drug and other factors. Doses may be different for different patients.