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| Pronunciation |
|
 (a
MEE oh da
rone) |
|
|
| Brand Names |
|
| Cordarone®;
Pacerone® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Braxan (Mexico); Cardiorona
(Mexico) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Antiarrhythmic Agent, Class III |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- This medicine is intended only for treatment of life-threatening,
abnormal heartbeats. It can cause dangerous side effects. Some patients have
died from them. Amiodarone can cause a lung problem that can be serious and
life-threatening. Liver injury can also occur. It can even worsen the abnormal
heartbeat being treated. You should be placed in the hospital to get started on
this medicine.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to amiodarone or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have a slow heart rate without a working pacemaker.
- If you are taking any of these medicines: Cisapride, ritonavir,
sparfloxacin, or moxifloxacin.
- If you are pregnant.
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine treats a variety of types of rapid heartbeats called
arrhythmias.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Amiodarone decreases the effects of chemicals on the heart. It
prevents these chemicals from exciting the heart. The heart slows down and the
arrhythmia may be prevented, but not
cured.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach. Always take with food or always take without food. Be consistent.
- Do not take cholestyramine or colestipol with this
medicine.
|
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|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
|
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|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
- Do not use this medicine with sparfloxacin, grepafloxacin, quinidine,
or ritonavir. Could cause serious side effects.
- Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers about this
medicine.
- You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun. Use sunscreen;
wear protective clothing and eyewear.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust while using this medicine and for some time after it is
stopped. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
|
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|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Feeling tired or lightheaded. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or
activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects
you.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing
diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
- Numbness, tingling, or pain in hands and
feet.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
|
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|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Dry cough or shortness of breath. This medicine can cause permanent
lung damage.
- Nausea, vomiting, belly pain, feeling tired, dark urine, yellow
eyes/skin, not hungry.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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