Amiodarone injection
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What is amiodarone injection?
AMIODARONE (Cordarone®) is an antiarrhythmic agent and is used to help your heart to beat regularly. Because this drug can have significant side-effects, this is a medicine that is used when irregular heartbeats have not responded to other medicines. It is usually reserved for treating potentially life-threatening heartbeat problems. Generic amiodarone injections are available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• other heart problems
• liver disease
• thyroid disease
• lung disease
• low blood potassium or magnesium levels
• an unusual or allergic reaction to amiodarone, iodine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Amiodarone is for infusion into a vein. It is given by a health-care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What drug(s) may interact with amiodarone?
• arsenic trioxide
• astemizole
• beta-blockers or calcium-channel blockers, often used for high blood pressure or heart problems
• bosentan
• certain antibiotics (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, gatifloxacin, gemifloxacin, grepafloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, sparfloxacin, troleandomycin)
• cevimeline
• cholestyramine
• cimetidine
• cisapride
• cyclosporine
• dextromethorphan
• dolasetron
• doxercalciferol
• fentanyl
• ginger
• halofantrine
• hawthorn
• loratadine
• medicines for angina, high blood pressure, or heart failure
• medicines for colds or breathing difficulties (including asthma)
• medicines for HIV infection
• medicines for lowering cholesterol such as atorvastatin, cerivastatin, lovastatin, or simvastatin
• medicines for mental depression such as tricyclic antidepressants
• medicines for mental problems or psychotic disturbances
• medicines for seizures (convulsions) such as phenytoin
• medicines for thyroid problems
• medicines to control heart rhythm (examples: digoxin, disopyramide, dofetilide, sotalol, procainamide, quinidine)
• rifampin, rifabutin, or rifapentine
• pimozide
• probucol
• pyridoxine or vitamin B6
• ramelteon
• radiopaque contrast agents
• sevelamer
• sirolimus or tacrolimus
• St. John's Wort
• terfenadine
• tramadol
• voriconazole
• warfarin
• water pills (diuretics)
• red yeast rice
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking amiodarone?
Your condition will be monitored closely while you receive injections of amiodarone. Injections of amiodarone are not intended for routine maintenance therapy. As soon as possible your prescriber or health care professional will want to transfer you to tablets that are taken by mouth.
Amiodarone can cause serious side effects including significant lung damage, liver damage, vision changes, thyroid dysfunction, skin problems, and potentially heartbeat problems. It is very important to have regular checks with your health care professional. Notify your prescriber immediately if you notice symptoms that are listed in the side effects section, or any other persistent problems or unusual reactions. Amiodarone can be present in the body for a long time (months); some side effects may persist for a time after treatment is stopped.
Once you are on maintenance therapy, visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Check with your prescriber or health care professional if you develop a cough or have any difficulty breathing. Because your condition and use of this medicine carry some risk, it is a good idea to carry an identification card, necklace or bracelet with details of your condition, medications, and prescriber or health care professional.
You may get dizzy; to avoid a sudden drop in blood pressure and fainting spells, do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older person, until you know how amiodarone affects you.
Amiodarone can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun, or wear protective clothing outdoors and use a sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or sun tanning beds or booths.
You should have regular eye exams before and during treatment with amiodarone. Call your doctor if you have blurred vision, see halos, or your eyes become sensitive to light, or experience other changes in vision. Your eyes may get dry while you are using amiodarone. It may be helpful to use a lubricating eye solution or artificial tears solution.
If you are going to have surgery tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking amiodarone.
What side effects may I notice from receiving amiodarone?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• appetite increase or decrease
• blue-gray coloring of the skin
• blurred vision, seeing blue-green halos, increased sensitivity of the eyes to light, loss of vision
• chest pain
• cough, or difficulty breathing
• difficulty walking
• dry or puffy skin or eyes
• feeling faint or light-headed
• heart pounding or skipping a beat
• heart beating very fast or very slow
• intolerance to heat or cold
• nervousness
• numbness or tingling in hands or feet
• pain and swelling of the scrotum
• passing brown or dark-colored urine
• skin rash
• trembling or shaking hands
• sleep difficulties
• spitting up blood
• sweating
• unusual or uncontrolled movements of body
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
• weight gain or loss
• yellowing of the eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• decreased sexual ability or desire in men
• dizziness
• flushing of the face
• headache
• nausea
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature, 15—25 degrees C (59—77 degrees F). Protect from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.
