Drug NameCordarone (Amiodarone) Drug UsesCordarone is used to treat a variety of different types of fast, abnormal heart rhythms (these are known as tachyarrhythmias). It is used for severe rhythm disorders when other treatments are not effective or cannot be used. How to useUse Cordarone as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Cordarone comes with an additional patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully and reread it each time you get Cordarone refilled.
- Cordarone is best taken with food. However, it is more important to take it consistently with regard to meals. If you take it with food, try to always take it with food to improve absorption of this medicine. If you prefer to take it on an empty stomach, then always try to take it on an empty stomach.
Drug Class and MechanismCordarone 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. Missed DoseIf you miss a dose of this medicine and you are using it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If you do not remember until later, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. Storage Store at the room temperature away from moisture and sunlight. Keep out of the reach of children. Possible Side EffectsCheck with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:
- abnormal skin sensations (loss of sensation; tingling; numbness; prickling); bitter taste in mouth; blue-green discoloring of skin (especially hands or feet); constipation; decreased sexual interest; dizziness; dry eyes; flushing of the face; general body discomfort; headache; involuntary muscle movements; loss of appetite; nausea; poor coordination; tiredness; trouble sleeping; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:
- severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; chills, coldness; cough; coughing up blood; dark urine; decreased urination; easy bruising or bleeding; enlarged thyroid gland; eye discomfort; fatigue; fever; irregular pulse; loss of coordination; menstrual changes; muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness); nervousness; persistent sore throat; severe dizziness; severe stomach pain; shortness of breath; skin reaction similar to serious sunburn; slow heartbeat; sluggishness; sweating; tingling or numbness of hands or feet; uncontrolled shaking or tremor; unexplained weight change; vision changes (seeing halos, blurred vision, loss of vision); wheezing; worsening of irregular heartbeat; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
More InformationIt is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe. Warnings/PrecautionsDo not use Cordarone if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Cordarone , including iodine;
- you have complete, second degree, third degree, or severe sinoatrial heart block; an abnormally slow heartbeat; or shock due to serious heart problems; or if you have had fainting due to slow heartbeat (except if you have a pacemaker) ;
- you are taking cisapride, dofetilide, an H1 antagonist (eg, astemizole, loratadine, terfenadine), an HIV protease inhibitor (eg, ritonavir), a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (eg, vardenafil), or a streptogramin (eg, dalfopristin, quinupristin).
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Important:
- Cordarone may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or blurred vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Cordarone . Using Cordarone alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
- Long-term exposure to Cordarone may cause blue-gray discoloration of the skin, particularly of the face and hands. This effect is not harmful and usually reverses, sometimes incompletely, after the medicine is stopped. Avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun may help to prevent this effect.
- Limit alcoholic beverages while taking Cordarone .
- It may take several days to weeks for Cordarone to work. A response may not be seen for up to 3 weeks after the medicine is started.
- Cordarone stays in your body for weeks or months, even after you are no longer taking it. Therefore, caution is advised not only during treatment, but for several months after treatment with Cordarone has stopped if you are taking any interacting medicines.
- Cordarone may cause skin reactions similar to serious sunburn or sensitivity to sunlight. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Cordarone . Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period.
- Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery (including eye surgery to correct vision problems), tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Cordarone .
- Your doctor may want you to check your pulse rate every day while you take Cordarone . Learn how to monitor your pulse.
- Carry an identification card at all times that says you are taking Cordarone .
- Lab tests, including electrocardiogram (ECG), chest x-rays, lung tests, liver tests, thyroid tests, and eye exams, may be performed to monitor your progress. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Cordarone with extreme caution in children. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Cordarone has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Cordarone during pregnancy. Cordarone is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Cordarone .
What is Cordarone (amiodarone)?
Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic medication that affects the rhythm of heartbeats.
Amiodarone is used to help keep the heart beating normally in people with life-threatening heart rhythm disorders of the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart that allow blood to flow out of the heart). Amiodarone is used to treat ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.
Amiodarone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Cordarone (amiodarone)?
Amiodarone is for use only in life-threatening situations. This medication has the potential to cause side effects that could be fatal, and you will receive your first few doses in a hospital setting.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to amiodarone or iodine, or if you have certain heart conditions such as "AV block," or a history of slow heart beats. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested on a regular basis. Your thyroid and liver function may also need to be tested, and you may need eye exams and chest x-rays. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
You may continue to have side effects from amiodarone after you stop taking it. It could take up to several months for the medicine to completely clear from your body.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Cordarone (amiodarone)?
Amiodarone is for use only in life-threatening situations. This medication has the potential to cause side effects that could be fatal, and you will receive your first few doses in a hospital setting.
You may continue to have side effects from amiodarone after you stop taking it. It could take up to several months for the medicine to completely clear from your body.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to amiodarone or iodine, or if you have:
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certain heart conditions, especially "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker); or
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a history of slow heart beats that have caused you to faint.
Before taking amiodarone, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
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asthma or another lung disorder;
- liver disease;
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vision problems;
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high or low blood pressure;
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a thyroid disorder; or
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an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood).
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take amiodarone.
FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not use amiodarone without your doctor's consent if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication. Amiodarone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication while you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take Cordarone (amiodarone)?
You will receive your first few doses of amiodarone in a hospital setting where your heart can be monitored in case the medication causes serious side effects.
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water.
You may take amiodarone with or without food but take it the same way every time.
It is important to use amiodarone regularly to get the most benefit. Keep using this medication even if you feel fine or have no symptoms. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your thyroid and liver function may also need to be tested, and you may need eye exams and chest x-rays. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
If you need to have any type of surgery (including laser eye surgery), tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using amiodarone. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain thyroid tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using amiodarone.
Store amiodarone at room temperature away from heat, moisture, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include weakness, slow heart rate, feeling light-headed, or fainting.
What should I avoid while taking Cordarone (amiodarone)?
Amiodarone can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with amiodarone and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Amiodarone can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.
Cordarone (amiodarone) side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
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a new or a worsening irregular heartbeat pattern;
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fast, slow, or pounding heartbeats;
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feeling like you might pass out;
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wheezing, cough, chest pain, trouble breathing, coughing up blood;
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blurred vision, headache or pain behind your eyes, sometimes with vomiting;
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feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion, swelling, rapid weight gain;
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weight loss, thinning hair, feeling too hot or too cold, increased sweating, irregular menstrual periods, swelling in your neck (goiter);
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numbness, burning, pain, or tingling in your hands or feet; or
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nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
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feeling dizzy or tired;
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nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation, loss of appetite;
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sleep problems (insomnia);
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weakness, lack of coordination; or
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warmth, tingling, or redness under your skin.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
What other drugs will affect Cordarone (amiodarone)?
Many drugs can interact with amiodarone. Below is only a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:
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cimetidine (Tagamet);
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clopidogrel (Plavix);
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cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
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dextromethorphan (an over-the-counter cough medicine);
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digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
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insulin or diabetes medication you take by mouth;
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loratadine (Claritin Alavert);
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narcotic pain medication;
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St. John's wort;
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an antidepressant;
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a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
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a diuretic (water pill);
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medication to treat HIV or AIDS;
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heart rhythm medication such as disopyramide (Norpace), quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex), or procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl);
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an antibiotic such as azithromycin (Zithromax), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, Ery-Tab), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), levofloxacin (Levaquin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater, Rifamate), and others;
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a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol (Zebeta, Ziac), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), and others;
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a calcium channel blocker such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Tiazac, Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), verapamil (Covera), and others;
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cholesterol-lowering medicines such as cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran), atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), or fluvastatin (Lescol); or
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seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), and others.
This list is not complete and there are many other medicines that can cause serious drug interactions with amiodarone. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about amiodarone.
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