Amiodarone – What is it for, how to take it and side effects
Amiodarone – What is it for, how to take it and side effects that we should be aware of. In addition, amiodarone is a prescription drug that is available as a brand-name drug Pacerone. It is also available in its generic form. Generic drugs often cost less than branded versions. Amiodarone also comes as an intravenous (IV) solution for injection, which is only given by a healthcare professional. This medicine can be used as part of a combination therapy. That means you need to take it with other drugs.
What Amiodarone Is Used For: Amiodarone is used to treat life-threatening heart rate problems. It is usually given when other drugs have not worked.
How Amiodarone Works: Amiodarone belongs to a class of drugs called antiarrhythmics. A class of drugs is a group of drugs that work in the same way. These medications are often used to treat similar conditions. Amiodarone treats and prevents abnormal heartbeats by working within cells to control muscle contractions in the heart. This helps your heart to beat normally.
Amiodarone Side Effects: Amiodarone oral tabletdoes not cause drowsiness, but it can cause other side effects.
Most Common Side Effects: The most common side effects that can occur with amiodarone include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- Fatigue
- Tremor
- Lack of coordination
- Constipation
- Insomnia
- Headache
- Stomachache
- Decreased sex drive or performance
- Uncontrollable or unusual body movements
If these effects are mild, they may disappear within a few days or a few weeks. If they are more severe or do not go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious Side Effects: Call your doctor right away if you experience serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you are having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
Allergic reactions. Symptoms can include:
- Rash
- Itch
- Urticaria
- Swelling of your lips, face or tongue
- Lung problems. Symptoms can include:
- wheezing
- Breathing problems
- Shortness of breathe
- Cough
- Chest pain
- spit blood
The vision changes . Symptoms can include:
- Blurry vision
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Vision problems such as seeing blue or green halos (circles around objects)
Liver problems. Symptoms can include:
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- dark urine
- Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
Heart problems. Symptoms can include:
- Chest pain
- Fast or irregular heart rate
- Feeling dizzy or weak
- Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
Stomach problems. Symptoms can include:
- spit blood
- stomachache
- nausea or vomiting
Thyroid problems . Symptoms can include:
- Less heat or cold tolerance
- increased perspiration
- weakness
- Weight loss or weight gain
- thinning hair
- Pain and swelling of your scrotum
Nerve damage . Symptoms can include:
- Pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet
- muscle weakness
- uncontrolled movements
- walk in difficulty
Severe skin reactions. Symptoms can include:
- Blue-grey skin color
- severe sunburn
How to Take Amiodarone: This dosage information is for the amiodarone oral tablet . All possible doses and forms may not be included here. Your dose, form and how often you take it will depend on:
- Your age
- The condition to be treated
- How serious is your condition
- Other medical conditions you have
- How do you react to the first dose
Shapes and Strengths:
Generics: Amiodarone
Form: oral tablet
Strengths: 100mg, 200mg, 400mg
Brand: Pacerone
Form: oral tablet
Strengths: 100mg, 200mg, 400mg
A doctor will receive the first dose of amiodarone in a doctor’s office or hospital. After that, you will take your amiodarone doses at home.
Dosage for ventricular fibrillation
Adult Dosage (ages 18 to 64)
Initial Dosage:
- 800-1600 mg daily orally in a single dose or in separate doses for 1-3 weeks.
- You will be monitored during this time to ensure that you respond to treatment.
Continuous Dosage:
- 600-800 mg daily orally as a single dose or doses separated by one month.
- The dose will be reduced to a maintenance dose. This is usually 400 mg per day by mouth in a single dose or separate doses.
Children Dosage (ages 0-17 years): The safety and effectiveness of amiodarone have not been established in persons under the age of 18 years.
Senior Dosage (65 years and over): Your dose will start at the bottom to reduce the risk of side effects. In general, as you age, your organs, such as your liver, kidneys, and heart, don’t work as well as they once did. More of the medicine can stay in your body and put you at an increased risk of side effects.
Special Considerations:
- For People With Kidney Problems: If you have kidney problems, your body will not be able to clear this medicine either. This can cause the medication to build up in your body and cause more side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lower dosage. If your kidney function gets worse, your doctor may stop your medication.
- For People With Liver Problems: If you have liver problems, your body will not be able to clear this medicine either. This can cause the medication to build up in your body and cause more side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lower dosage. If your liver function gets worse, your doctor may stop your medication.
Dosage for ventricular tachycardia
Dosage for adults (ages 18 to 64)
Initial dosage:
- 800-1600 mg daily orally in a single dose or in separate doses for 1-3 weeks.
- You will be monitored during this time to ensure that you respond to treatment.
Continuous dosage:
- 600-800 mg daily orally as a single dose or doses separated by one month.
- The dose will be reduced to a maintenance dose. This is usually 400 mg per day by mouth in a single dose or separate doses.
Infant Dosage (ages 0-17 years): The safety and effectiveness of amiodarone have not been established in persons under the age of 18 years.
Senior Dosage (65 years and over): Your dose will start at the bottom to reduce your risk of side effects. In general, as you age, your organs, such as your liver, kidneys, and heart, don’t work as well as they once did. More of the medicine can stay in your body and put you at an increased risk of side effects.
Special Considerations:
- For People With Kidney Problems: If you have kidney problems, your body will not be able to clear this medicine either. This can cause the medication to build up in your body and cause more side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lower dosage. If your kidney function gets worse, your doctor may stop your medication.
- For People With Liver Problems: If you have liver problems, your body will not be able to clear this medicine either. This can cause the medication to build up in your body and cause more side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lower dosage. If your liver function gets worse, your doctor may stop your medication.
Take As Directed: Amiodarone can be used for long-term or short-term treatment. Your doctor will determine how long you will be treated with amiodarone , depending on how well your body responds. This drug comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.
If You Do Not Take or Skip Doses: If you do not take amiodarone as prescribed, you may be at risk for serious heart problems.
If You Take Too Much: If you think you have taken too much amiodarone, go to the emergency room immediately or call your local poison control center.
What to Do if You Miss a Dose : If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only one dose at that time. Do not take extra doses or double doses to make up for the missed dose.
How to Tell if the Drug Is Working: You can tell if this medication is working if your symptoms improve. Your dizziness, nausea, chest pain, shortness of breath, or rapid heart rate should improve.
Note: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, as drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible doses. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the right doses for you.