Conditions Back ConditionsDrugs & Supplements Back Drugs & SupplementsWell-Being Back Well-BeingMore Back More Privacy & More Subscribe Log In Search Subscribe GuideOverview Causes & RisksSymptomsTests & DiagnosisTreatment Living WithComplications View Full Guide Medications You Should Avoid With Atrial FibrillationMedically Reviewed by James Beckerman, MD, FACC on August 04, 2024Written by 4 min readWhen you have (AFib), the medications your doctor gives you are designed to keep your heart rate under control. But if you have other medical conditions along with AFib, you might have to watch out for possible drug interactions. This includes certain staple pain relievers like and aspirin.That’s because some medications could make your heart condition worse. In some cases, certain drugs could trigger AFib, especially if you were on the verge of having it.Medications You Should Avoid When You Have Atrial FibrillationFor some medications, you might have to be cautious about how much of it you can take safely. Others might be a big no-no. Here’s what you should avoid and why.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (). When you have AFib, you’ll need to take blood thinners like warfarin (coumadin) to lower your odds for blood clots and stroke. NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen are over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers that you might keep on hand to ease headaches or other pains. But these drugs also act as blood thinners. If you mix NSAIDs with prescription blood thinners, it could thin out your blood too much and put you at risk for serious bleeding. AFib also increases your chances for heart failure, a condition in which the heart muscle fails to pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs. Taking NSAIDs can lead to heart failure or make your symptoms worse if you already have it.Aspirin. With AFib, you’re almost five times more likely to have a stroke. Studies have found that an oral anticoagulant that you take by mouth is slightly better than aspirin in preventing blood clots but brings with it a risk of more serious side effects, such as internal bleeding. Plus, aspirin mixes badly with prescription anticoagulants or blood thinners like dabigatran (Pradaxa) or warfarin. It might cause side effects like serious bleeding into your stomach or brain. Before you take aspirin, talk to your doctor about the pros and cons.Certain . If you have AFib or you’re more likely to get it, let your doctor know about your condition before you take antibiotics. Some antibiotics, like and azithromycin, can cause abnormal electrical activity in your heart. This could lead to irregular or fast heart rates that cause AFib or other arrhythmias. If you have heart problems, check with your doctor before you start taking antibiotics. Thyroid medications. If your thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck, doesn’t make enough hormones that your body needs, you have . To treat this, you’ll need to take daily hormone replacement tablets called . This raises thyroxine (T4) hormones in your body.But research shows that while upping the dose of levothyroxine can boost your energy and help you lose weight, it can increase your chances for AFib. If you’re taking this medicine, ask your doctor about how to lower your risk for heart problems.Stimulant medications. If you or your child has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), your doctor will give you stimulant drugs such as methylphenidate to control your symptoms. While rare, in some cases these drugs can increase your heart rate and blood pressure. If you or your child has a history of AFib, stimulants might increase your odds for serious complications if you take it for a long time. To avoid this, have regular checks with your doctor before and during stimulant therapy. . According to research, common antidepressants such as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) could increase your risk for AFib. And it’s much more common in women. If you have a history of AFib or other forms of heart rate issues, check with your doctor before you start taking antidepressants.Allergy and cold medications. With AFib, if you take an OTC medication to control your cough, cold, or allergies, your heart might race or beat fast. That’s because many of these drugs are stimulants. They are designed to stimulate your heart and tighten blood vessels near your nose and throat to help clear out your runny or stuffy mucus.Except it also increases your blood pressure and heart rate. This can make your AFib symptoms worse or put you at risk to develop one. If you have a history of AFib or other arrhythmias, avoid OTC drugs that contain a decongestant. These drugs usually carry a “D” after their name on the packaging. Fish oil supplements. Research suggests high doses of omega-3 fatty acids could increase the risk of developing AFib. Fish oil may improve arthritis pain and keep your blood fat levels in check. But if you take more than 1 gram per day, you are more likely to get AFib. If you’re planning to add fish oil pills to your diet, read the label carefully and check the limit for daily dosage. If you’re not sure, ask your doctor about it.If you happen to take these medications, lookout for AFib symptoms. If you have a fast heart rate because of a medication, you also may feel:Chest painDizzyFluttering heart rateLightheadedRapid or irregular heartbeatShort of breathSweatyWeakWhatever you think the reason may be, if you find it difficult to breathe or the chest pain lasts more than a few minutes, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.SourcesUpdate HistorySharePrintSOURCES:AHA Journals: “Atrial Fibrillation Burden and Short-Term Risk of Stroke.”American Heart Association: “What are the Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib or AF)?”Cedars Sinai: “Omega-3 Supplements Could Elevate Risk of Atrial Fibrillation.”CHADD: “Cardiovascular Risk and Stimulant Medication.”Cleveland Clinic: “Common Medications You May Need to Avoid If You’re a Heart Patient,” “Are OTC Allergy and Cold Medications Making Your Heart Race?”FDA: “Before Using Aspirin to Lower Your Risk of Heart Attack or Stroke, What You Should Know.”Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine: “Associations of Antidepressants With Atrial Fibrillation and Ventricular Arrhythmias: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.”Medscape: “Overtreating Hypothyroidism: Link to Atrial Fibrillation.”NHS: “Levothyroxine.”University of Minnesota: “Study warns of pairing azithromycin with drugs that affect heart rhythm.”UpToDate: “Drugs that should be avoided or used with caution in patients with heart failure.”Columbia University Irving School of Medicine: "Aspirin and Warfarin Equally Effective for Most Patients." SharePrintNext In TreatmentShow more articles More on Atrial Fibrillation Recommended FEATURED Top doctors in , Find more top doctors on Search Related LinksPoliciesAboutFor Advertisers © 2005 - 2025 WebMD LLC, an company. All rights reserved. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. , If you have atrial fibrillation, here’s a list of medications you should avoid and why., Abstract Diazepam did not alter the rate or rhythm in III patients with atrial fibrillation. In 3 out of 38 patients with atrial flutter the use of diazepam was followed by an increase in atrioventricular block. Diazepam restored sinus rhythm in I patient with atrial tachycardia (total 7 patients) and in I patient with ventricular tachycardia (total 8 patients). Experimentally in the dog .