Cardiac effects of non-cardiac drugs

Drugs prescribed for non-cardiac conditions can have unexpected and serious cardiac effects. These may occur while taking the drug or can be delayed for years. Often these adverse effects are not recognised until the postmarketing phase of drug development. An underlying cardiac abnormality can be a predisposing factor. Drugs with cardiac adverse effects include clozapine, rosiglitazone, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, tumour necrosis factor inhibitors, cancer chemotherapy and drugs for Parkinson's disease.