Amiodarone

Conditions Treated

Amiodarone is used to treat and prevent certain types of serious, life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias (a certain type of abnormal heart rhythm when other medications did not help or could not be tolerated. Amiodarone is in a class of medications called antiarrhythmics. It works by relaxing overactive heart muscles.

Possible Side Effects

What Side Effects Can This Cause?

Amiodarone may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• constipation
• loss of appetite
• headache
• decreased sex drive
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• flushing
• dry eyes
• changes in ability to taste and smell
• changes in amount of saliva

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

• rash
• weight loss or gain
• restlessness
• intolerance to heat or cold
• thinning hair
• excessive sweating
• changes in menstrual cycle
• swelling in the front of the neck (goiter)
• eye pain
• swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
• movements that you cannot control
• poor coordination or trouble walking
• numbness or tingling in the hands, legs, and feet
• muscle weakness

Amiodarone may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Usage Instructions

How Should This Medication Be Used

Amiodarone comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day. Your doctor will tell you to take amiodarone with or without food; be sure to take it the same way each time.Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take amiodarone exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

What Dietary Instructions Should I Follow

Do not drink grapefruit juice while you are taking this medication.

Are There Any Special Instructions

Before taking amiodarone, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to amiodarone, iodine, or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: antidepressants ('mood elevators') such as trazodone; anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); certain cholesterol lowering medications such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), cholestyramine (Questran), lovastatin (Mevacor), and simvastatin (Zocor); cimetidine (Tagamet); clopidogrel (Plavix); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); dextromethorphan (a medication in many cough preparations); fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic); HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir (Crixivan), and ritonavir (Norvir); loratadine (Alavert, Claritin); medications for diabetes or seizures; methotrexate (Rheumatrex); narcotic medications for pain; and rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane). Many other medications may interact with amiodarone, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list. Your doctor may have to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any of the conditions mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section or problems with your blood pressure. talk to your doctor about the risks of taking this medication if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not usually take amiodarone because it is not as safe or effective as other medication(s) that can be used to treat the same condition. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery or laser eye surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking amiodarone. plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight or sunlamps and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Amiodarone may make your skin sensitive to sunlight. Exposed skin may turn blue-gray and may not return to normal even after you stop taking this medication. you should know that amiodarone may cause vision problems including permanent blindness. Be sure to have regular eye exams during your treatment and call your doctor if your eyes become sensitive to light or if you see halos, or have blurred vision or any other problems with your vision. you should know that amiodarone may remain in your body for several months after you stop taking it. You may continue to experience side effects of amiodarone during this time. Be sure to tell every health care provider who treats you or prescribes any medication for you during this time that you have recently stopped taking amiodarone.