Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: AMIODARONE (A-mi-OH-da-rone)
This medicine is an antiarrhythmic 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.
WARNING: THIS MEDICINE 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 this medicine. Alternative medicines should be tried before this medicine is used. Initial use of this medicine 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. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE IF you are taking cisapride, dofetilide, an H1 antagonist (eg, astemizole, loratadine, terfenadine), an HIV protease inhibitor (eg, ritonavir), a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (eg, vardenafil), or a streptogramin (eg, dalfopristin, quinupristin). ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking antiarrhythmics (eg, flecainide), arsenic, azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), cimetidine, diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), droperidol, ketolides (eg, telithromycin), macrolide antibiotics (eg, erythromycin), phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), pimozide, quinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin), serotonin receptor antagonists (eg, dolasetron), trazodone, ziprasidone, narcotic pain relievers (eg, fentanyl), cholestyramine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), rifampin, St. John's wort, thyroid hormones (eg, levothyroxine), anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), calcium channel blockers (eg, verapamil, diltiazem), cyclosporine, dextromethorphan, digoxin, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, simvastatin), lidocaine, methotrexate, or clopidogrel. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including 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; allergies; pregnancy; or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you will be having surgery, if you have an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator, or if you take medicine for diabetes (eg, glyburide). USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have complete, second degree, third degree, or severe sinoatrial heart block; an abnormally slow heartbeat; shock due to serious heart problems; or if you have had fainting due to slow heartbeat (except if you have a pacemaker). Use of this medicine in children is not recommended. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of giving this medicine to your child. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for taking this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get this medicine refilled. Take this medicine 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 this medicine. If you prefer to take it on an empty stomach, then always try to take it on an empty stomach. DO NOT EAT GRAPEFRUIT OR DRINK GRAPEFRUIT JUICE while you take this medicine. This medicine works best when there is a constant level of the medicine in your body. Take this medicine on a regular schedule around the clock, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Take it at the same time each day. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature, between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 and 25 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. IF YOU MISS A DOSE of this medicine, 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.
DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE IF you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine, including iodine. IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL DAYS TO WEEKS for this medicine to work. A response may not be seen for up to 3 weeks after the medicine is started. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE without checking with your doctor. Lab tests, including electrocardiogram (ECG), chest x-rays, lung tests, liver tests, thyroid tests, and eye exams, may be performed while you use this medicine. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LAB APPOINTMENTS. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY (including eye surgery to correct vision problems), tell your doctor or dentist that you take this medicine. LIMIT ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES while taking this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS, LIGHTHEADEDNESS, OR BLURRED VISION. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use this medicine with caution. DO NOT DRIVE OR PERFORM OTHER POSSIBLY UNSAFE TASKS until you know how you react to it. SEVERE AND SOMETIMES FATAL LUNG OR OTHER BREATHING PROBLEMS have been reported with this medicine. Contact your doctor right away if you develop shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing, fever, or cough, or if you begin coughing up blood. Long-term exposure to this medicine 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. THIS MEDICINE 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 this medicine. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time. Your doctor may want you to check your pulse rate every day while you take this medicine. LEARN HOW TO MONITOR YOUR PULSE. THIS MEDICINE 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 this medicine has stopped if you are taking any interacting medicines. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. FOR WOMEN: THIS MEDICINE 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 this medicine while you are pregnant. THIS MEDICINE IS FOUND in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include 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; or vomiting. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience 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; or yellowing of the skin or eyes. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
IF OVERDOSE IS SUSPECTED, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; severe dizziness; unusually slow pulse; or weakness.
Carry an ID card at all times that says you take this medicine. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of reach of children and pets. IF YOU WILL BE USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, be sure to obtain necessary refills before your supply runs out.
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