Amiodarone

Drug Status in USA : Approved
Drug Status in Canada : Approved

pronunciation

pronounced as (a mee' oh da rone)

Why is this medication prescribed?

Amiodarone is used to treat and prevent certain types of serious, life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias (a certain type of abnormal heart rhythm when other medications did not help or could not be tolerated. Amiodarone is in a class of medications called antiarrhythmics. It works by relaxing overactive heart muscles.


How should this medicine be used?

Amiodarone comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day. You may take amiodarone either with or without food, but be sure to take it the same way each time.Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take amiodarone exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.


What are the precautions to be followed?

Before taking amiodarone,
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to amiodarone, iodine, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in amiodarone tablets. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: antidepressants ('mood elevators') such as trazodone (Oleptro); anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as dabigatran (Pradaxa) and warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); certain cholesterol lowering medications such as atorvastatin (Lipitor, in Caduet, in Liptruzet), cholestyramine (Prevalite), lovastatin (Altoprev, in Advicor), and simvastatin (Zocor, in Simcor, in Vytorin); cimetidine; clopidogrel (Plavix); cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); dextromethorphan (a medication in many cough preparations); fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic, Fentora, others); HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir (Crixivan) and ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra, in Viekira Pak); ledipasvir and sofosbuvir (Harvoni); lithium (Lithobid); loratadine (Claritin); medications for diabetes or seizures; methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall); narcotic medications for pain; rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater); and sofosbuvir (Solvaldi). Many other medications may interact with amiodarone, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list. Your doctor may have to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort.
  • tell your doctor if you have diarrhea or have or have ever had any of the conditions mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section or problems with your blood pressure.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. Talk to your doctor if you plan to become pregnant or breast-feed during your treatment because amiodarone may remain in your body for some time after you stop taking it. If you become pregnant while taking amiodarone, call your doctor.
  • talk to your doctor about the risks of taking this medication if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not usually take amiodarone because it is not as safe or effective as other medication(s) that can be used to treat the same condition.
  • if you are having surgery, including dental surgery or laser eye surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking amiodarone.
  • plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight or sunlamps and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Amiodarone may make your skin sensitive to sunlight. Exposed skin may turn blue-gray and may not return to normal even after you stop taking this medication.
  • you should know that amiodarone may cause vision problems including permanent blindness. Be sure to have regular eye exams during your treatment and call your doctor if your eyes become dry, sensitive to light, if you see halos, or have blurred vision or any other problems with your vision.
  • you should know that amiodarone may remain in your body for several months after you stop taking it. You may continue to experience side effects of amiodarone during this time. Be sure to tell every health care provider who treats you or prescribes any medication for you during this time that you have recently stopped taking amiodarone.

What are possible side effects of this medication ?

Amiodarone may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
  • constipation
  • loss of appetite
  • headache
  • decreased sex drive
  • difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • flushing
  • changes in ability to taste and smell
  • changes in amount of saliva
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
  • rash
  • weight loss or gain
  • restlessness
  • weakness
  • nervousness
  • irritability
  • intolerance to heat or cold
  • thinning hair
  • excessive sweating
  • changes in menstrual cycle
  • swelling in the front of the neck (goiter)
  • swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
  • uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
  • decreased concentration
  • movements that you cannot control
  • poor coordination or trouble walking
  • numbness or tingling in the hands, legs, and feet
  • muscle weakness

Amiodarone may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.


How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light, excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.


Drug Category/Class

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Potassium Channel Blockers
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Sodium Channel Blockers
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Antiarrhythmics, Class III
  • Antiarrhythmics, Class I and Iii
  • Cardiac Therapy
  • Antiarrythmics, Class I and Iii
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 Inhibitors
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C8 Inhibitors
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A Inhibitors
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 Inducers
  • Cytochrome P-4
Prescribed Intravenously, for initiation of treatment and prophylaxis of frequently recurring ventricular fibrillation and hemodynamically unstable ventricula...
Weight :645.3116
Structure Amiodarone
Generic Drug Amiodarone prescribed Intravenously, for initiation of treatment and prophylaxis of frequently recurring ventricular fibrillation and hemodynamically unstable ventricula...
Formula

C25H29I2NO3

Amiodarone has 31 Brands listed


Aldarone (150 mg)Aldarone (200 mg)
Amidon (150 mg)Amiodar (100 mg)
Amiodar (200 mg)Amiodarone (150 mg)
Amiodon (100 mg)Amiodon (200 mg)
Amipace (200 mg)Cardarone (100 mg)
Cardarone (150 mg)Cardarone (200 mg)
Cardasol (150 mg)Cordarone (100 mg)
Cordarone (150 mg)Cordarone X (200 mg)
Duron (100 mg)Duron (150 mg)
Duron (200 mg)Eurythmic (100 mg)
Eurythmic (150 mg)Eurythmic (200 mg)
Panarol (100 mg)Panaron (100 mg)
Panarone (100 mg)Panarone (200 mg)
Ritebeat (100 mg)Ritebeat (150 mg)
Ritebeat (200 mg)Tachyra (100 mg)
Tachyra (200 mg)

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