Questions posted in the Heart Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Question Title: PVC's/PAC's & Medication

Forum: The Heart Forum
Topic: Arrhythmia


Last month I started experiencing palpitations and a pounding heart beat. My doctor found an irregularity on my ECG and referred me to a cardiologist. I had an echocardiogram performed and nothing abnormal was dectected. The cardiologist diagnosed PVCs/PACs and prescribed a beta blocker. I've only been taking it for 2 days but it does seem to be helping somewhat.

About the same time the palpitations started, I began taking Tegretol. However, all 3 of the doctors involved seem to be unphased by this coincidence. If the PVCs are indeed being caused by the Tegretol, would it be a appropriate to continue treating them with medication?

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Dear Josephine,
The answer is simple. If the benefits you incur from being on tegretol (say for seizure disorder)
outweigh the risks of being on a betablocker (which are few,if any), then you should continue
to take both. Also consider that the PACs and PVCs may not be from the tegretol, although I must
say it usually is a drug causing the side effect (in this case PACs/PVCs) when the symptoms start
in conjunction with the initiation of the medication (for this reason, I would address the problem or
question you pose as if the PVCs/PACs are from the tegretol. Discuss this with the doctor who put you
on the tegretol-ask him just how important s/he feels it is that you be on that medication as opposed to
one that might not have that particular side effect-then apply that information to my initial question
above-essentially what is best for you- tegretol and betablocker or alternative to tegretol(if there is
one) and possibly no betablocker. Good Luck.
I hope that this information has been helpful, please write back if you have anyj
further questions.
Information provided in the heart forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only,
actual diagnosis and treatment can only be made by your physician(s).

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