Amiodarone injection

What is this medicine?

AMIODARONE (a MEE oh da rone) is an antiarrhythmic drug. It helps make your heart beat regularly. Because of the side effects caused by this medicine, it is only used when other medicines have not worked.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for infusion into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing problems

• chest pain

• cough with or without blood

• dark urine

• fast, irregular heartbeat

• feeling faint or light-headed

• intolerance to heat or cold

• nausea, vomiting

• pain and swelling of the scrotum

• pain, tingling, numbness in feet, hands

• problems with balance, talking, walking

• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

• spitting up blood

• stomach pain

• sweating

• unusual or uncontrolled movements of body

• unusually weak or tired

• weight gain or loss

• yellowing of eyes, skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• change in sex drive or performance

• constipation

• dizziness

• headache

• loss of appetite

• trouble sleeping

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• abarelix

• apomorphine

• arsenic trioxide

• certain antibiotics like erythromycin, gemifloxacin, levofloxacin, pentamidine

• certain medicines for depression like amoxapine, tricyclic antidepressants

• certain medicines for fungal infections like fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole

• certain medicines for irregular heart beat like disopyramide, dofetilide, dronedarone, ibutilide, propafenone, sotalol

• certain medicines for malaria like chloroquine, halofantrine

• cisapride

• droperidol

• haloperidol

• hawthorn

• maprotiline

• methadone

• phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, thioridazine

• pimozide

• ranolazine

• red yeast rice

• vardenafil

• ziprasidone

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS

• certain medicines for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat

• certain medicines for cholesterol like atorvastatin, cerivastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin

• certain medicines for hepatitis C like sofosbuvir and ledipasvir; sofosbuvir

• certain medicines for seizures like phenytoin

• certain medicines for thyroid problems

• certain medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin

• cholestyramine

• cimetidine

• clopidogrel

• cyclosporine

• dextromethorphan

• diuretics

• fentanyl

• general anesthetics

• grapefruit juice

• lidocaine

• loratadine

• methotrexate

• other medicines that prolong the QT interval (cause an abnormal heart rhythm)

• quinidine

• rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine

• St. John's Wort

• trazodone

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• liver disease

• lung disease

• other heart problems

• thyroid disease

• an unusual or allergic reaction to amiodarone, iodine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Your condition will be monitored closely when you first begin therapy. This drug is first started in a hospital or other monitored health care setting. Once you are on maintenance therapy, visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Because your condition and use of this medicine carry some risk, it is a good idea to carry an identification card, necklace or bracelet with details of your condition, medications, and doctor or health care professional.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.

Your eyes may get dry while you are using this medicine. It may be helpful to use a lubricating eye solution or artificial tears solution. Check with your doctor or health care professional for regular eye examinations.

If you are going to have surgery or a procedure that requires contrast dyes, tell your doctor or health care professional that you are taking this medicine.