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Generic Name: Amiodarone Tablets (A-mi-oh-da-rone)
Brand Name: Examples include Cordarone and
Pacerone
Amiodarone should only be used in patients with life-threatening
irregular heartbeat. Worsening of irregular heartbeat, life-threatening
lung disease, and serious liver problems may occur with use
of Amiodarone. Alternative medicines should be tried before
Amiodarone is used. Initial use of Amiodarone requires close
monitoring and dose selection may be difficult. It is very
common to require a dosage decrease or discontinuation of
treatment. The recurrence of the irregular heartbeat after
discontinuation or dosage adjustment is unpredictable and
hospitalization may be required.
Amiodarone is used for:
Treating life-threatening recurrent heart rhythm disturbances
in patients who cannot tolerate or do not respond well to
other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions
as determined by your doctor.
Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic. It works by stabilizing the
heart rhythm in conditions in which the heart is beating too
fast or in an irregular rhythm. It is usually used in situations
in which the abnormal heart rhythms, if not treated, could
cause death.
Do NOT use Amiodarone if:
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you are allergic to any ingredient in Amiodarone
, including iodine |
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you have complete, second degree, third degree, or severe
sinoatrial heart block; an abnormally slow heartbeat;
or shock due to serious heart problems; or if you have
had fainting due to slow heartbeat (except if you have
a pacemaker) |
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you are taking cisapride, dofetilide, an H1 antagonist
(eg, astemizole, loratadine, terfenadine), an HIV protease
inhibitor (eg, ritonavir), a phosphodiesterase type 5
inhibitors (eg, vardenafil), or a streptogramin (eg, dalfopristin,
quinupristin) |
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Contact
your doctor or health care provider right away if any
of these apply to you. |
Before using Amiodarone:
Some medical conditions may interact with Amiodarone . Tell
your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions,
especially if any of the following apply to you:
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if you are pregnant, planning to become
pregnant, or are breast-feeding |
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if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription
medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement |
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if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other
substances |
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if you have a history of liver problems, lung disease,
heart problems, low blood pressure, thyroid problems,
electrolyte problems (eg, low blood potassium or magnesium),
eye problems, or sinoatrial heart block |
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if you will be having surgery |
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if you take medicine for diabetes (eg, glyburide) |
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Some MEDICINES
MAY INTERACT with Amiodarone . Tell your health care
provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially
any of the following: |
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Cholestyramine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), rifampin,
or St. John's wort because they may decrease Amiodarone
's effectiveness |
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Antiarrhythmics (eg, flecainide), arsenic, azole antifungals
(eg, ketoconazole), cimetidine, cisapride, diuretics (eg,
furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), dofetilide, droperidol,
H1 antagonists (eg, astemizole, loratadine, terfenadine),
HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), ketolides (eg,
telithromycin), macrolide antibiotics (eg, erythromycin),
phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), phosphodiesterase type
5 inhibitors (eg, vardenafil), pimozide, quinolones (eg,
ciprofloxacin), serotonin receptor antagonists (eg, dolasetron),
streptogramins (eg, dalfopristin, quinupristin), trazodone,
or ziprasidone because side effects, such as heart rhythm
problems or seizures, may occur |
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Narcotic pain relievers (eg, fentanyl) because low blood
pressure, slow heartbeat, and other heart problems may
occur |
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Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), beta-blockers (eg, propranolol),
calcium channel blockers (eg, verapamil, diltiazem), cyclosporine,
dextromethorphan, digoxin, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors
(eg, simvastatin), lidocaine, or methotrexate because
the risk of their side effects may be increased by Amiodarone
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Thyroid hormones (eg, levothyroxine) because their effectiveness
may be decreased or the risk of their side effects may
be increased by Amiodarone |
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Clopidogrel because its effectiveness may be decreased
by Amiodarone |
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This may
not be a complete list of all interactions that may
occur. Ask your health care provider if Amiodarone may
interact with other medicines that you take. Check with
your health care provider before you start, stop, or
change the dose of any medicine. |
How to use Amiodarone:
Use Amiodarone as directed by your doctor. Check the label
on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
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Amiodarone comes with an extra patient information
sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read
it again each time you get Amiodarone refilled. |
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Take Amiodarone by mouth. It is best taken with food.
However, it is more important to take it consistently
with regard to meals. If you take it with food, try to
always take it with food to improve absorption of Amiodarone
. If you prefer to take it on an empty stomach, then always
try to take it on an empty stomach. |
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Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while
you take Amiodarone. |
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Amiodarone works best when there is a constant level
of the medicine in your body. Take Amiodarone on a regular
schedule around the clock, unless otherwise directed by
your doctor. Take it at the same time each day. |
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If you miss a dose of Amiodarone , take it as soon as
possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip
the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Do not take 2 doses at once. |
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Ask your
health care provider any questions you may have about
how to use Amiodarone. |
Important safety information:
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Amiodarone may cause dizziness, lightheadedness,
or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take
it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Amiodarone with
caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe
tasks until you know how you react to it. |
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Severe and sometimes fatal lung or other breathing problems
have been reported with Amiodarone . Contact your doctor
right away if you develop shortness of breath, chest pain,
wheezing, fever, cough, or if you begin coughing up blood.
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Long-term exposure to Amiodarone may cause blue-gray
discoloration of the skin, particularly of the face and
hands. This effect is not harmful and usually reverses,
sometimes incompletely, after the medicine is stopped.
Avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun may help to prevent
this effect. |
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Limit alcoholic beverages while taking Amiodarone. |
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It may take several days to weeks for Amiodarone to
work. A response may not be seen for up to 3 weeks after
the medicine is started. |
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Amiodarone stays in your body for weeks or months, even
after you are no longer taking it. Therefore, caution
is advised not only during treatment, but for several
months after treatment with Amiodarone has stopped if
you are taking any interacting medicines. |
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Amiodarone may cause skin reactions similar to serious
sunburn or sensitivity to sunlight. Avoid the sun, sunlamps,
or tanning booths until you know how you react to Amiodarone
. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must
be outside for more than a short time. |
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Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Amiodarone
before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency
care, or surgery (including eye surgery to correct vision
problems). |
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Your doctor may want you to check your pulse rate every
day while you take Amiodarone . Learn how to monitor your
pulse. |
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Carry an ID card at all times that says you take Amiodarone. |
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Lab tests, including electrocardiogram (ECG), chest
x-rays, lung tests, liver tests, thyroid tests, and eye
exams, may be performed while you use Amiodarone . These
tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for
side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
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Amiodarone should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN;
safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
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PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Amiodarone has been shown
to cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant,
contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits
and risks of using Amiodarone while you are pregnant.
Amiodarone is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed
while taking Amiodarone. |
Possible side effects of Amiodarone:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have
no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of
these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
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Abnormal skin sensations (loss of sensation;
tingling; numbness; prickling); bitter taste in mouth;
blue-green discoloring of skin (especially hands or feet);
constipation; decreased sexual interest; dizziness; dry
eyes; flushing of the face; general body discomfort; headache;
involuntary muscle movements; loss of appetite; nausea;
poor coordination; tiredness; trouble sleeping; vomiting. |
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE
side effects occur:
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Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives;
itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest;
swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain;
chills; coldness; cough; coughing up blood; dark urine;
decreased urination; easy bruising or bleeding; enlarged
thyroid gland; eye discomfort; fatigue; fever; irregular
pulse; loss of coordination; menstrual changes; muscle
pain, tenderness, or weakness (especially with fever or
unusual tiredness); nervousness; persistent sore throat;
severe dizziness; severe stomach pain; shortness of breath;
skin reaction similar to serious sunburn; slow heartbeat;
sluggishness; sweating; tingling or numbness of hands
or feet; uncontrolled shaking or tremor; unexplained weight
change; vision changes (seeing halos, blurred vision,
loss of vision); wheezing; worsening of irregular heartbeat;
yellowing of the skin or eyes. |
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