AMIDARONE

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.

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


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


Some side effects of amiodarone include:
Constipation
Loss of appetite
Headache
Decreased sex drive
Sleeplessness
Flushing
Dry eyes
Changes in taste or smell
Changes in amount of saliva

Patients should call their doctor immediately if they experience any of the following side effects:
Rash
Weight fluctuation
Restlessness
Heat/cold intolerance
Thinning hair
Excessive sweating
Changes in menstrual cycle
Swelling in the neck
Eye pain
Swelling in arms or legs
Uncontrollable body movement
Poor coordination
Difficulty walking
Numbness or tingling in the extremities
Muscle weakness

Precaution notes:

Amiodarone may present a risk to women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding because of its residual presence in the body even after treatment has stopped. Consult your doctor about taking amiodarone because of the potential risk to a fetus.

Amiodarone may cause a condition called QT prolongation, which may worsen your arrhythmia symptoms. Talk to your doctor about treatment with amiodarone if you have ever felt dizzy, lightheaded, or have fainted because of a slow heartbeat.

Consult your doctor about any surgery you have scheduled before beginning treatment with amiodarone.

Amiodarone may cause skin sensitivity. Patients should wear protective clothing and sunscreen because of the increased risk for sunburn. Additionally, as treatment continues with amiodarone, patients may develop a blue-gray skin color that will eventually go away once treatment has stopped. Consult your doctor about any changes in your skin that occur during amiodarone treatment.

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking amiodarone. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may increase the side effects associated with this medicine.

Amiodarone may stay in the body for several months after discontinuing treatment. Patients should be mindful of the side effects that may arise while waiting for Amiodarone to leave their system.

by
Akshaya Srikanth
Pharm.D Internee
akshaypharmd@gmail.com