drug side effects for PVC treatment

  I am a 50 year old male diagnosed recently with PVC.
  My physician said that of the drug options, they vary from somewhat
  effective with few side effects to very effective with some side effects.
  What are drugs used in this situation, and the possible side
  effects?

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Dear gea,
Frequent PVCs (extra heart beats) are usually benign in origin, but it is important to conduct appropriate testing to rule out significant underlying heart disease.  If there is no serious heart disease present, PVCs are only a nuisance and pose no threat.  If a patient finds the PVCs so annoying and discomforting that treatment is required, there are several possible medications, all of which have potential side effects.  Again, treatment is generally not required.  The most common treatment used consists of the class of medications called "beta blockers."  This includes drugs such as metoprolol, atenolol, and propranolol.  These drugs have been around for a while, and have been used extensively in people with heart problems.  They are safe, but are associated with many possible side effects such as fatigue and sexual dysfunction.  There are other potential second-line drugs to use that are best utilized by cardiac electrophysiologists (cardiologists that specialize in heart rhythm problems); these drugs all have numerous side effects, and most patients would rather just learn to live with the PVCs if the beta-blockers do not work.
Information provided here is for general purposes only.  Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor.  If you would like to be seen by a heart rate specialist at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiac electrophysiologist at Desk F15.  

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