Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an irregular heart rhythm in which the atria activate chaotically, producing an irregular pulse and allowing blood clots to form.

Offers

Eliquis

Apixaban

2.5 · 5mg

Apixaban 2.5mg and 5mg film-coated tablets, used in the management of venous thromboembolism, atrial fibrillation and stroke prevention. A factor Xa inhibitor.

From$0.43/ tabletView

Digoxin Tablets

Digoxin

0.25mg

Digoxin 0.25mg tablets, used in the management of heart failure and atrial fibrillation. A cardiac glycoside that inhibits the sodium-potassium pump.

From$0.44/ tabletView

Warfarin Tablets

Warfarin

1 · 2 · 5mg

Warfarin 1mg, 2mg and 5mg tablets, used in the management of atrial fibrillation, thromboembolism and deep vein thrombosis. A vitamin K antagonist.

From$0.40/ tabletView

Pradaxa

Dabigatran

150mg

Dabigatran 150mg hard capsules, used in the management of atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism. A direct thrombin inhibitor.

From$6.07/ capsuleView

Tambocor

Flecainide

50 · 100mg

Flecainide 50mg and 100mg tablets, used in the management of atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter and ventricular arrhythmias. A class Ic antiarrhythmic.

From$1.47/ tabletView

Betapace

Sotalol

40mg

Sotalol 40mg tablets, used in the management of ventricular arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation. Both a non-selective beta-blocker and a class III agent.

From$1.00/ tabletView

About

Key points

AF may cause palpitations, fatigue or breathlessness, or be discovered without symptoms on an ECG.
Stroke prevention is assessed separately from symptom control using individual clot and bleeding risks.
Rate control, rhythm medicine, cardioversion and ablation are alternatives or complements, not interchangeable choices.

The listings below should not be used for an unconfirmed rhythm; AF treatment depends on ECG diagnosis, duration, heart disease and risk scores.

Confirming AF and its drivers

An ECG documents the rhythm; intermittent episodes may require longer monitoring. Evaluation considers thyroid disease, high blood pressure, valve disease, heart failure, sleep apnoea, alcohol and other triggers. An echocardiogram commonly assesses heart structure.

Three treatment questions

Anticoagulation can reduce stroke risk but increases bleeding and is not decided by symptoms alone. Beta blockers or other agents may control ventricular rate. Rhythm restoration is considered according to symptom burden, duration and likelihood of maintaining sinus rhythm; cardioversion timing also depends on clot protection.

When to seek urgent care

Call emergency services for palpitations with fainting, severe chest pain, marked breathlessness, confusion or sudden facial droop, limb weakness or speech difficulty.