Medications and Drugs

Heart Disease (Coronary Artery Disease) Slideshow

GENERIC NAME: AMIODARONE - INJECTION (am-ee-OH-duh-rown)

BRAND NAME(S): Cordarone

Warning | Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage | Medical Alert

WARNING: This medication must be used in a hospital setting under close medical supervision. A response may not be seen until up to 3 weeks after the medication is started. Amiodarone stays in your body for weeks or months, even after you are no longer taking it. If you are taking any drugs that may interact with this medication, caution is advised during and several months after treatment has stopped. (See Drug Interactions section.) Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Severe (sometimes fatal) lung or liver problems have infrequently occurred in patients using this drug. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of these serious side effects: cough, fever, chills, chest pain, difficult or painful breathing, severe stomach pain, fatigue, yellowing eyes or skin, or dark urine. Like other medications used to treat irregular heartbeats, amiodarone can infrequently cause them to become worse. Due to the lingering amount of this drug in your body, heartbeat problems may occur even months after you have stopped using it. This drug may cause serious vision changes such as seeing halos and blurred vision. Very rarely, cases of permanent blindness have been reported. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any vision changes.

USES: This medication is used to treat irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and to maintain a normal heart rate.

HOW TO USE: This medication is given by injection into a vein (IV) as directed by your doctor. Follow all instructions for proper mixing and dilution with the correct IV fluids. If you have questions regarding the use of this medication, consult your pharmacist. Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Do not exceed the recommended rate of infusion. Infusing amiodarone too fast may result in serious side effects such as severe lowering of the blood pressure. Your dosage and infusion rate may be adjusted depending upon your medical condition and response to therapy. A chemical (DEHP) found in plastic IV tubing may harm young children (male reproductive system effects). Amiodarone can cause this chemical to leach out of the tubing. Therefore, caution is advised when using this drug in children. Special administration guidelines should be followed (e.g., multiple bolus dosing) to minimize exposure to DEHP. Consult the pharmacist for more information.