Drug Facts

Type of Drug:

A drug used for specific types of severe irregular heartbeats.

How the Amiodarone Works:

Amiodarone corrects and prevents the occurrence of various types of irregular heart rhythms that may lead to life-threatening situations.

Uses of The Amiodarone:

To treat certain life-threatening heart rhythm disturbances (eg, recurrent ventricular fibrillation, recurrent hemodynamically unstable ventricular tachycardia) that are not affected by other antiarrhythmics or when other drugs are not tolerated.

Unlabeled Uses: Sometimes used to treat refractory sustained or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, and symptomatic atrial flutter. May improve left ventricular ejection fraction, exercise tolerance, and ventricular arrhythmias in patients with congestive heart failure.

Precautions:

Potentially fatal toxicities: Amiodarone has caused pulmonary toxicity (eg, hypersehsitivity pneumonitis or interstitial/alveolar pneumonitis). Overt liver disease has been reported, resulting in a few deaths. Significant heart block or sinus bradycardia has also been reported.

Heart effects: A worsening of heart rhythm irregularities is unusual while under treatment but can occur. Amiodarone can also cause slow heart rates or occasional pauses in the heart rhythm.

Sensitivity to sunlight: Amiodarone has caused sensitivity of the skin to sun­light and to ultraviolet light. During long-term treatment, exposed skin may appear blue-gray. Risk is increased in patients with a bit with a fail complexion and in those with excessive exposure to the sun and wear protective clothing.

Pregnancy: Amiodarone can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. There have been some reports of congenital goiter/ hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Use only if clearly needed and potential benefits to the mother outweigh the possible hazards to the fetus.

Drug Interactions:

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or if you are planning to take any over-the-counter or prescription medications or dietary supplements with amiodarone. Doses of one or both drugs may need to be modified or a different drug may need to be prescribed. The following drugs and drug classes interact with amiodarone:

• Antiarrhythmics, other (eg, procainamide)
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin)
• Calcium channel blockers (eg, verapamil)
• Cimetidine (eg, Tagamet)
• Cyclosporine (eg, Neoral)
• Digoxin (eg, Lanoxin)
• Disopyramide (eg, Norpace)
• Fentanyl (eg, Sublimaze)
• Flecainide (Tambocor)
• Methotrexate (eg, Rheumatrex)
• Hydantoins (eg, phenytoin)
• Quinidine (eg, Quinora)
• Quinolones (eg, sparfloxacin)
• Ritonavir (Norvir)

Side Effects:

Every drug is capable of producing side effects, Many amiodaro ne users experience no, or minor, side effects, The frequency and severity of side effects depend on many factors including dose, duration of therapy, and individual susceptibility. possible side effects include:

Eyes or Ocular: Appearance of halos around lights; sensitivity to light; blurred or spotty vision; dry eyes’, sensitivity to light; permanent blindness; eye discomfort; fluid accumulation at the optic disc; other vision disturbances; eye degeneration; optic nerve disease.

Digestive Tract: Nausea; vomiting; constipation; diarrhea; loss of appetite; stomach pain.

Nervous System: Tremors; twitches; fatigue; loss of coordination; unsteady walking; dizziness; numbness and tingling in hands and feet; difficulty sleeping; headache; general discomfort·, abnormal gait.

Circulatory System: Slowing of heartbeat (rhythm); worsening of irregular heart rhythm; decrease in blood pressure; decrease in blood platelets; coagulation abnormalifies; heart failure; heart block.

Respiratory System: Difficulty breathing (shortness of breath); coughing; abnormal x-ray or biopsy; fibrosis.

Skin: Sensitivity to sunlight; blue-gray skin color; rash; dermatitis; unexplained bruising; hair loss; flushing; abnormal skin sensations (eg, burning, prickling, tingling).

Other: Disturbances in thyroid, respiratory, kidney and liver function (cirrhosis, hepatitis); abnormal taste and smell; edema (fluid retention); abnormal salivation; loss of sex drive; abnormal blood tests.

Guidelines for Use:

• Dosage is individualized. Take exactly as prescribed.
• Do not change the dose or stop taking unless advised by your doctor.
• High doses of amiodarone are usually required for the first 1 to 3 weeks of treatment.
• Take with meals, especially if stomach upset Occurs.
• If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your doctor. If more than one dose is missed, or it is necessary to establish a new dosage schedule, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, become pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding before beginning therapy.
• May cause photosensitivity (sensitivity to sunlight). Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing until tolerance is determined.
• Shortness of breath, coughing and abnormal diagnostic tests (eg, chest x-ray, lung biopsy) can occur. Report changes in breathing or vision, or any coughing to your doctor and have a routine chest x-ray.
• Loss of vision can occur. Inform your doctor if your vision changes or your peripheral vision decreases.
• Store at room temperature (59 0 to 86°F). Keep in a tight container away from light.

Tagged under:aminodarone, Antiarrhythmics, drug, heart effects, heartbeats, hypothyroidism skin