What happens if I take an extra MULTAQ?

October 12, 2025 •

4 min read

According to prescribing information, taking more than the recommended dose of MULTAQ (dronedarone) can increase the risk of side effects, including serious cardiac rhythm issues. If you have accidentally taken an extra MULTAQ, it is crucial to seek immediate medical advice to understand the potential risks and necessary steps.

Quick Summary

Taking an extra Multaq dose can elevate the risk of side effects, from mild gastrointestinal upset to serious cardiac events. Immediate medical consultation with a healthcare provider or Poison Control is essential for personalized advice based on the amount taken and individual risk factors.

Key Points

Immediate Medical Attention: Immediately contact a healthcare provider or Poison Control if an extra dose of MULTAQ is taken to get personalized guidance.
Serious Cardiac Risks: An extra dose can increase the risk of serious side effects, including QT prolongation and bradycardia, which can lead to fainting or life-threatening arrhythmias.
Do Not Compensate: If an extra dose is taken, do not skip subsequent doses or take further action without consulting a medical professional.
Overdose Symptoms Vary: Watch for both mild symptoms (diarrhea, nausea) and severe signs (chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting), seeking emergency care for the latter.
Interactions and Comorbidities: Risk is heightened for those on interacting medications (e.g., strong CYP3A4 inhibitors) or with pre-existing heart/liver conditions.
Prevention is Key: Use pill organizers, phone reminders, or caregiver assistance to help prevent accidental medication errors.

What is MULTAQ (Dronedarone)?

MULTAQ, with the active ingredient dronedarone, is an antiarrhythmic drug used to treat certain heart rhythm disorders, specifically to reduce the risk of cardiovascular hospitalization in patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AFib) or atrial flutter (Afl). It works by affecting the electrical impulses in the heart to help maintain a normal sinus rhythm. The standard dosage is 400 mg taken twice daily, with food. This medication is not for everyone, and it carries a boxed warning for certain conditions, such as permanent AFib and severe heart failure, due to an increased risk of death, stroke, and heart failure.

What to do immediately after taking an extra dose

If you realize you have taken an extra dose of MULTAQ, do not panic, but act promptly. The course of action depends on the severity of the symptoms you may or may not be experiencing.

Do not take any more doses: Stop taking the medication until you have received guidance from a healthcare professional.
Contact a healthcare provider: Immediately call your doctor, cardiology care team, or a pharmacist to report the error. They will provide specific instructions tailored to your health history and the amount of medication taken.
Call Poison Control: The national Poison Control helpline (1-800-222-1222 in the U.S.) is an excellent resource for immediate, expert advice regarding medication errors or suspected overdose.
Seek emergency medical attention: If you experience any severe or life-threatening symptoms such as fainting, chest pain, or a racing heartbeat, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Potential symptoms of a MULTAQ overdose

Taking an extra dose increases the concentration of the drug in your system, which can magnify its effects and potential side effects. While the full scope of a large overdose is not well-documented, the increased risk of known adverse reactions is a significant concern. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include:

Common (Mild) Symptoms:

Gastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain)
Fatigue or weakness
Skin rash or redness

Serious (Severe) Symptoms:

Abnormal heart rhythms: A higher dose increases the risk of both dangerously fast (QT prolongation leading to torsade de pointes) and slow heartbeats (bradycardia).
Severe dizziness or fainting: These can be signs of serious heart rhythm problems.
Heart failure: Overdosing can worsen existing heart failure or precipitate new-onset heart failure, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath and swelling.
Liver injury: An overdose can strain the liver, with signs including dark urine, jaundice, or unusual fatigue.

Comparison: Missed vs. Extra Dose of MULTAQ

Understanding the difference in action for a missed dose versus an extra dose is critical for patient safety. The correct procedure for a missed dose is to skip it entirely, not double up to compensate.


Action	Correct Procedure	Potential Risk	Medical Action
Missed Dose	Take your next dose at its regularly scheduled time.	No significant risk from a single missed dose. Skipping frequently may impact efficacy.	Notify your doctor if you frequently miss doses.
Extra Dose	Call your doctor, Poison Control, or 911 immediately for guidance.	Increased risk of common side effects and severe cardiac events (arrhythmias, QT prolongation).	Seek immediate medical evaluation, especially if experiencing severe symptoms.

Factors that increase overdose risk

Several factors can increase a person's risk of experiencing adverse effects from an extra dose of MULTAQ:

Drug interactions: MULTAQ has numerous drug interactions, particularly with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors like ketoconazole and cyclosporine, which can increase the concentration of dronedarone in the blood. Taking an extra dose while on these interacting medications poses a significantly higher risk.
Pre-existing conditions: Patients with certain heart conditions, severe liver impairment, or kidney problems have a higher risk of adverse outcomes from MULTAQ in general, and an overdose would compound this risk.
Electrolyte imbalances: Low levels of potassium or magnesium can increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythm problems when taking dronedarone.

Preventing medication errors

Prevention is the best strategy. Simple habits and tools can help you stay on track with your medication schedule.

Use a pill organizer to track doses by day and time.
Set an alarm or use a medication reminder app on your phone.
Involve family members or caregivers to help manage medication schedules if needed.
Store medication in a secure, designated place away from other household items.
Before taking any new medication, review potential interactions with your doctor or pharmacist.

Conclusion

While a single extra dose of MULTAQ may not cause immediate, severe harm in all cases, it significantly increases the risk of side effects, including life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. The most critical step is to seek immediate professional medical advice from your healthcare team or Poison Control. Never attempt to compensate for the error by skipping future doses without explicit instruction from a doctor. By understanding the risks and practicing sound medication management, patients can help prevent potentially serious medication errors.

For more information on MULTAQ, visit the official website for comprehensive prescribing details from the manufacturer, Sanofi.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you accidentally took two MULTAQ tablets, which is an extra dose, you should immediately contact your healthcare provider, pharmacist, or the Poison Control Center for guidance. This increases the risk of side effects, some of which can be serious, such as abnormal heart rhythms.

Common side effects from an extra dose of MULTAQ can include gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, as well as fatigue and weakness. These symptoms are often more pronounced with a higher dose.

You should go to the emergency room immediately if you experience severe symptoms after taking an extra MULTAQ, such as chest pain, severe dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, a very fast or very slow heart rate, or irregular heartbeat.

Yes, taking an extra dose of MULTAQ can increase the risk of drug interactions, especially with medications that affect the same metabolic pathways (CYP3A4). This can lead to increased concentrations of other drugs in your system, raising the risk of side effects.

The typical adult dosage of MULTAQ is one 400 mg tablet, taken orally twice daily with meals (morning and evening). Always follow your doctor's prescribed dosage exactly.

If you miss a dose of MULTAQ, you should skip the missed dose completely and take your next dose at the regularly scheduled time. You should not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

To prevent taking an extra dose, consider using a pill box or setting daily reminders on your phone. Taking your medication at the same time each day with your meals can also help establish a routine.