Pronunciation: A-mi-OH-da-rone
Generic Name: Amiodarone
Brand Name: Generic only. No brands available.
Amiodarone Solution is used for:
Treating and preventing certain kinds of life-threatening heart rhythm problems in patients who cannot take the oral form of Amiodarone Solution or who do not respond to other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Amiodarone Solution is an antiarrhythmic. It works by stabilizing the heart rhythm in conditions in which the heart is beating too fast or in an irregular rhythm. It is usually used in situations in which the abnormal heart rhythms, if not treated, could cause death.
Do NOT use Amiodarone Solution if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Amiodarone Solution, including iodine
- you have moderate to severe heart block (unless you have a pacemaker), very slow heartbeat, or shock due to serious heart problems
- you are taking cisapride, dofetilide, certain H1 antagonists (eg, astemizole, terfenadine), nilotinib, certain phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), a phosphodiesterase inhibitor (eg, vardenafil), ranolazine, St. John's wort, a streptogramin (eg, quinupristin, dalfopristin), tetrabenazine, or ziprasidone
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Amiodarone Solution:
Some medical conditions may interact with Amiodarone Solution. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have abnormal liver function tests or a history of liver problems, lung or breathing problems, other heart problems, low blood pressure, thyroid problems, electrolyte problems (eg, low blood potassium or magnesium), eye or vision problems, a slow heartbeat, or heart block
- if you have recently had severe or persistent diarrhea
- if you will be having surgery, or if you have an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Amiodarone Solution. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Cisapride, dofetilide, certain H1 antagonists (eg, astemizole, terfenadine), nilotinib , certain phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), phosphodiesterase inhibitors (eg, vardenafil), ranolazine, St. John's wort, a streptogramin (eg, dalfopristin, quinupristin), tetrabenazine, or ziprasidone because the risk of worsening irregular heartbeat may be increased
- Many prescription and nonprescription medicines (eg, used for allergies, bacterial and fungal infections, blood thinning, cancer, cough, enlarged prostate, heartburn or reflux disease, heart problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, HIV infection, immune system suppression, inflammation, irregular heartbeat, local anesthesia, mental or mood problems, nausea and vomiting, pain, seizures), multivitamin products, and herbal or dietary supplements (eg, herbal teas, coenzyme Q10, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, St. John's wort) may interact with Amiodarone Solution, increasing the risk of serious side effects. Check with your doctor to see if Amiodarone Solution may interact with any other medicine that you are taking
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Amiodarone Solution may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Amiodarone Solution:
Use Amiodarone Solution as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Amiodarone Solution will be given by a qualified health care provider who is experienced in treating life-threatening irregular heartbeats. Amiodarone Solution is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic.
- Do not use Amiodarone Solution if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
- Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you use Amiodarone Solution.
- Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.
- If you miss a dose of Amiodarone Solution, contact your doctor right away.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Amiodarone Solution.
Important safety information:
- Amiodarone Solution may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Amiodarone Solution with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Amiodarone Solution may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
- Amiodarone Solution stays in your body for weeks or months even after you stop taking it. Use caution during treatment with Amiodarone Solution and for several months after you stop taking it if you are taking any medicines that may interact with it.
- Limit alcoholic beverages while taking Amiodarone Solution.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Amiodarone Solution before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery, including laser surgery on the eye.
- Tell your doctor if you have severe or persistent diarrhea while you are taking Amiodarone Solution. You will need to take care not to become dehydrated.
- Worsening of irregular heartbeat, life-threatening lung disease, and serious liver problems may occur with Amiodarone Solution. Therefore, it should only be given to patients with life-threatening heartbeats who cannot tolerate other medicines.
- Your doctor may want you to check your pulse rate every day while you take Amiodarone Solution. Learn how to monitor your pulse.
- Carry an ID card at all times that says you take Amiodarone Solution.
- Lab tests, including electrocardiogram (ECG), chest x-rays, lung, liver, thyroid, and eye exams, may be performed while you use Amiodarone Solution. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Amiodarone Solution with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially slow heartbeat.
- Amiodarone Solution should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed. Amiodarone Solution has benzyl alcohol in it. Do not use it in NEWBORNS and INFANTS. It may cause serious and sometimes fatal nervous system problems and other side effects.
- DEHP, a chemical found in plastic IV tubing, may cause harm in young CHILDREN (male reproductive system effects). Amiodarone Solution can cause DEHP to leach out of the tubing. If Amiodarone Solution is used in a child, discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Amiodarone Solution has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Amiodarone Solution while you are pregnant. Amiodarone Solution is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Amiodarone Solution.
Possible side effects of Amiodarone Solution:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Nausea.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); chest pain; confusion; coughing up blood; dark urine; decreased urination; fainting; feeling of being unusually cold; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; joint pain; mental or mood changes; muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness); numbness of an arm or leg; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe dizziness; severe stomach pain; shortness of breath; slow heartbeat; sudden, unexplained weight change; swelling of the hands or feet; symptoms of thyroid problems (eg, feeling of being unusually hot or cold, increased sweating, mental or mood changes, unusual weight changes, numbness or tingling of the hands or feet, menstrual changes); unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual cough; vision changes (eg, seeing halos, blurred vision, loss of vision); wheezing; worsening of irregular heartbeat; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Amiodarone side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; light-headedness, especially when standing; severe dizziness; slow or irregular heartbeat; weakness; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Proper storage of Amiodarone Solution:
Amiodarone Solution is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Amiodarone Solution at home, store Amiodarone Solution as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Amiodarone Solution out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Amiodarone Solution, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Amiodarone Solution is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Amiodarone Solution. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Amiodarone resources
- Amiodarone Side Effects (in more detail)
- Amiodarone Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Amiodarone Drug Interactions
- Amiodarone Support Group
- 15 Reviews for Amiodarone - Add your own review/rating
Compare Amiodarone with other medications
- Arrhythmia
- Supraventricular Tachycardia
- Ventricular Fibrillation
- Ventricular Tachycardia
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