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What is amiodarone
 Amiodarone
is an antiarrhythmic medication. Amiodarone affects the way
that the heart beats.
Amiodarone
is used to treat irregular heartbeats.
Amiodarone
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about amiodarone
In some cases, amiodarone has been associated with
serious and even fatal side effects such as lung problems,
liver problems, and new or worsening irregular heartbeats.
Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits associated
with the use of amiodarone.
Do not skip doses or change
the dosing schedule without talking to your doctor. Missed
or delayed doses could be harmful.
Do not consume grapefruit
or grapefruit juice during treatment with amiodarone. Amiodarone
can interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice, and the
interaction may have dangerous effects. You should discuss
the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor.
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing
other hazardous activities. Amiodarone may cause dizziness,
drowsiness, or blurred vision. If you experience dizziness,
drowsiness, or blurred vision, avoid these activities.
Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Amiodarone may cause
the skin to turn a bluish-gray color. This reaction is worse
with exposure to the sun. Use a sunscreen and wear protective
clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
What you should find out before taking amiodarone In some cases, amiodarone has been associated with
serious and even fatal side effects such as lung problems,
liver problems, and new or worsening irregular heartbeats.
Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits associated
with the use of amiodarone.
Before taking amiodarone,
tell your doctor if you
- have any other type of
heart disease or heart problems;
- have liver disease;
- have vision problems (especially optic neuritis);
- have thyroid problems; or
- need to have
surgery.
You may not be able to take amiodarone,
or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring
during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed
above.
Amiodarone is in the FDA pregnancy category
D. This means that it is known to be harmful to an unborn
baby. Do not take amiodarone without first talking to your
doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during
treatment.
Amiodarone passes into breast milk. It
is not known whether this medication will affect a nursing
infant. Do not take amiodarone without first talking to
your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should take amiodarone Take amiodarone exactly as directed by your doctor.
If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass of water.
Amiodarone can be
taken with or without food. However, it should always be
taken the same way, either with or without food.
Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment
with amiodarone. Amiodarone can interact with grapefruit
and grapefruit juice, and the interaction may have dangerous
effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit
juice with your doctor.
It is important to take amiodarone
regularly to get the most benefit.
Do not skip doses
or change the dosing schedule without talking to your doctor.
Missed or delayed doses could be harmful.
Your doctor
may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations
during treatment with amiodarone to monitor progress and
side effects.
Store amiodarone at room temperature
away from moisture and heat.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If
it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose
and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not
take a double dose of this medication. A double dose could
be dangerous.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is
suspected.
Symptoms of an amiodarone overdose include
tiredness, dizziness, confusion, a slow heart rate, yellowing
of the skin or eyes, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and worsening
irregular heartbeats.
Avoid while taking amiodarone Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during
treatment with amiodarone. Amiodarone can interact with
grapefruit and grapefruit juice, and the interaction may
have dangerous effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit
and grapefruit juice with your doctor.
Use caution
when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Amiodarone may cause dizziness, drowsiness,
or blurred vision. If you experience dizziness, drowsiness,
or blurred vision, avoid these activities.
Avoid
prolonged exposure to sunlight. Amiodarone may cause the
skin to turn a bluish-gray color. This reaction is worse
with exposure to the sun. Use a sunscreen and wear protective
clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
Follow any other special instructions given by your doctor
regarding food, beverages, or activities (e.g., driving).
Possible side effects of amiodarone If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking amiodarone and seek emergency medical
attention:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing;
closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or
face; or hives);
- a new or a worsening irregular
heartbeat pattern;
- wheezing, coughing, chest pain,
or chest discomfort;
- yellowing of the skin or eyes;
- changes in vision, blurred vision, or decreased
vision;
- cough or shortness of breath;
-
fainting;
- tremor or involuntary movements; or
-
skin rash;
Other, less serious side effects may also
occur. Continue to take amiodarone and talk to your doctor
if you experience
- dizziness or tiredness;
-
upset stomach, vomiting, decreased appetite, or diarrhea;
- changes in taste;
- poor coordination;
-
numbness, or tingling; or
- bluish-gray discoloration
of the skin.
Side effects other than those listed
here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side
effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect amiodarone Before taking amiodarone, tell your doctor if you
are taking any of the following medicines:
- cimetidine
(Tagamet);
- cholestyramine (Questran);
-
cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral);
- dextromethorphan
(a cough suppressant commonly used in prescription and over-the-counter
cough medications);
- digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
- fentanyl (Duragesic, Actiq);
- lidocaine
(Xylocaine, others);
- methotrexate (Rheumatrex);
- rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane);
- the herbal
product St. John's wort;
- simvastatin (Zocor);
-
theophylline (Theo-Bid, Theo-Dur, Theolair, Elixophyllin,
Slo-Phyllin, others);
- warfarin (Coumadin);
-
a protease inhibitor such as indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir-ritonavir
(Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir
(Fortovase, Invirase);
- phenytoin (Dilantin), ethotoin
(Peganone), or mephenytoin (Mesantoin);
- flecainide
(Tambocor), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan SR, Procanbid),
quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinaglute, Quinora, Quinidex), disopyramide
(Norpace), or other medicines used to treat irregular heartbeats;
- a beta-blocker such as acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol
(Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor), propranolol (Inderal),
and others; or
- a calcium channel blocker such as
verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Isoptin), diltiazem (Cardizem,
Dilacor XR), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), felodipine
(Plendil), and others.
You may not be able to take
amiodarone, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special
monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed
above.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with amiodarone.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription
or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals,
and herbal products. |
