Details

Amiodarone affects the rhythm of your heartbeats. It is used to help keep the heart beating normally in people with life-threatening heart rhythm disorders of the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart that allow blood to flow out of the heart). Amiodarone is used to treat ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Amiodarone is for use only in treating life-threatening heart rhythm disorders. You will receive your first few doses in a hospital setting, where your heart rhythm can be monitored using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG). You should not take Amiodarone if you are allergic to amiodarone or iodine, or if you have a serious heart condition such as "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker), a history of slow heart beats, or if your heart cannot pump blood properly. Amiodarone can cause dangerous side effects on your liver or your lungs.

Typical Uses

Amiodarone is used to treat certain types of serious (possibly fatal) irregular heartbeat (such as persistent ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia). It is used to restore normal heart rhythm and maintain a regular, steady heartbeat. Amiodarone is known as an anti-arrhythmic drug. It works by blocking certain electrical signals in the heart that can cause an irregular heartbeat. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medication unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Grapefruit can increase the amount of this medication in your bloodstream.

Side Effects

There are many side effects of Amiodarone. Some of them include: abnormal heart rhythm, heart failure, heart attack, low blood pressure, sinus arrest abnormal gait/ lack of coordination, dizziness, fatigue, uneasiness, tingling, tremor/abnormal involuntary movement, headache, sleep disturbances, confusion, delirium, disorientation, pseudotumor cerebri ( increased pressure inside the skull) sensitivity to sunlight, flushing, redness, severe allergic reactions, itching, blue-gray discoloration, skin cancer visual disturbances, abnormal smell sensation, ringing in the ears, may lead to blindness nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, abdominal pain, abnormal salivation, abnormal taste, inflammation of pancreas, acute kidney failure, inflammation of testes, impotence, decreased sexual activities blood clot abnormalities, anaemia, and decrease in blood cells abnormal liver function tests, liver disorders, jaundice swelling, redness, necrosis, pain, inflammation , blood clot muscle weakness, muscle pain, muscle damage cough, difficulty in breathing, lung infiltrates, wheezing, lung inflammation, fibrosis.

Drug Interactions

• Amiodarone+abarelix- Using amiodarone together with abarelix can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect.

• Amiodarone+acetazolamide- Talk to your doctor before using amiodarone together with acetazolamide. Combining these medications can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious. If your doctor prescribes these medications together, you may need regular monitoring of your electrolyte (magnesium, potassium) levels as well as other tests to safely use both medications.

• Amiodarone+bedaquiline- Using amiodarone together with bedaquiline can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect.

• Amiodarone+cabozantinib- Using amiodarone together with cabozantinib can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect.

• Amiodarone+digoxin- Before taking amiodarone, tell your doctor if you also use digoxin. You may need dose adjustments or special tests in order to safely take both medications together. This combination may lead to higher blood levels of digoxin. Digoxin levels should be closely checked if you start on amiodarone.

• Amiodarone+fenoldopam- Talk to your doctor before using amiodarone together with fenoldopam. Combining these medications can increase the risk of an irregular

Mechanism of action

Amiodarone is belongs to a group of drugs called antiarrhythmics. It works by modifying electrical activity thus relaxing and slowing overactive heart muscles.

Pregnancy Category : D