Amiodarone
Generic Name:
Amiodarone
Brand Names:
Cordarone, Pacerone, Nexterone
Amiodarone Description:
Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic medication prescribed to treat life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias in patients who have not experienced success with other treatments. Amiodarone functions by slowing nerve pulses in the heart allowing the heart’s rhythm to normalize.
Amiodarone Side Effects:
The most common side effects of amiodarone include:
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Decreased sex drive
- Flushing
- Swelling
- Muscle weakness
- Eye pain
For more information, see our amiodarone side effects page.
Amiodarone Uses:
Amiodarone is an injection or tablet medication prescribed to treat patients with life-threatening heart rhythm problems that have not responded to alternative therapies. Amiodarone may prevent ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.
Amiodarone Interactions:
Patients should speak with their doctor about the use of any medications, vitamins or supplements before beginning treatment with Amiodarone.
Before taking amiodarone, patients should consult their doctor if they are taking any of the following medications:
- Antifungals (Diflucan, Nizoral, Sporanox, Zithromax)
- Beta blockers
- Calcium channel blockers (diltiazem, verapamil)
- Cisapride
- Clarithromycin
- Diuretics
- Dofetilide
- Erythromycin
- Fluoroquinolone antibiotics (Cipro, Levaquin, Avelox, Noroxin, Floxin)
- Other medications for irregular heartbeat (Lanoxin, Norpace, Tambocor, Dilantin, Procanbid, Quinidex, Betapace)
- Thioridazine
- St. John’s Wort
This is not a complete list of drug interactions. Patients should inform their doctor of all medicines they are taking to avoid any complications while taking amiodarone.
Patients with a history or current diagnosis of any of following conditions should consult their doctor before treatment with amiodarone:
- AV block with no pacemaker
- Slow heartbreat
- Cardiogenic shock
- Sick sinus syndrome
- Eye or vision problems
- Heart problems
- Hypokalemia
- Hypomagnesemia
- Hypotension
- Lung disease or breathing problems
- Thyroid problems
Amiodarone Dosage Information:
Typical Dosage Recommendations
Amiodarone dosages may vary among patients and conditions. Patients should take amiodarone exactly as prescribed by their doctor.
Amiodarone is distributed as a 200 mg tablet or 50 ml injection solution.
Patients who begin treatment with amiodarone will most likely be hospitalized for a week or more. Your doctor will monitor your treatment carefully, starting with high dose of amiodarone while gradually decreasing your dose over time depending on the presence of side effects.
Amiodarone may be present in the body after ending treatment. Patients who stop taking amiodarone may be hospitalized so their doctor can monitor the levels of amiodarone as it exits the body.
Missing a Dose of Amiodarone
If a dose of amiodarone is missed, take the dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double dose.
Amiodarone Overdose
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose of amiodarone occurs. Patients who experience an overdose may demonstrate the following symptoms:
- Slow heartbeat
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Lightheadedness
- Fainting
Amiodarone FDA Approval:
December 24, 1985
Amiodarone Recall/Black Box Warning Information:
Amiodarone carries a Black Box warning for an associated risk of liver disease and lung damage that can be serious or life-threatening. Patients who experience any of the following symptoms should call their doctor immediately:
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Breathing problems
- Coughing or spitting up blood
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dark colored urine
- Jaundice
- Excessive tiredness
- Itching
- Pain in upper right part of the stomach
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