Biperiden Hydrochloride and Dronedarone Hydrochloride

• Generic Name: biperiden
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Akineton

Adjunctive treatment of all forms of parkinsonian syndrome; more efficacious in postencephalic and idiopathic cases than in arteriosclerotic types.

Relieves muscle rigidity, reduces sweating and salivation, improves gait, and to a lesser extent, tremor.

Control of extrapyramidal reactions induced by neuroleptic agents (e.g., phenothiazines).

• Generic Name: dronedarone
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Multaq

Reduction of risk of hospitalization for atrial fibrillation in patients in sinus rhythm who have a history of paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation.

Do not use in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation (i.e., patients in whom normal sinus rhythm will not or cannot be restored); increased risk of cardiovascular events and death in such patients. (See Warnings.)

Less effective than amiodarone in preventing recurrence of atrial fibrillation but appears to have an improved safety profile (based on short-term data). Long-term data and experience needed to elucidate relative safety and tolerability of dronedarone versus amiodarone because of some late-onset adverse effects of amiodarone (e.g., pulmonary toxicity).

Efficacy of retreatment with dronedarone in patients who relapse after initial successful treatment or in those who fail therapy with amiodarone not established.

Individualize treatment of atrial fibrillation/flutter based on relative benefits and risks of various therapies (e.g., rhythm versus rate control, nondrug therapies such as ablation and pacemaker implantation), patient age, and patient preference and tolerance of the arrhythmia.