Tag: Cardiac arrhythmias

In December 2001, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandated a **black box warning on droperidol** due to reported risks of serious cardiac arrhythmias, including torsades de pointes. This significant regulatory action dramatically curtailed the use of droperidol, a potent antiemetic and sedative that was once a staple in many clinical settings. The warning prompted extensive debate within the medical community and led to revised guidelines for patient screening and monitoring.

Although flecainide is an effective antiarrhythmic medication, it can cause various side effects. While serious cardiac issues are a primary concern, rare case reports and studies confirm that flecainide can cause peripheral neuropathy.

Intravenous (IV) potassium chloride (KCl) is a high-alert medication because, if administered incorrectly, it can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias. In emergency medicine, a KCl injection is used for the critical, and potentially life-threatening, treatment of severe hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood). This life-saving intervention must be performed with extreme caution and continuous cardiac monitoring to prevent dangerous side effects.

Digoxin, a medication with a narrow therapeutic window, carries a significant risk of toxicity, a problem compounded by its potent effects on the heart. Recognizing the signs of digoxin toxicity is critical for anyone taking this medication for conditions like heart failure or atrial fibrillation.