amiodarone infusion
(ah me OH da rone)
Cordarone, Pacerone
What is the most important information I should know about amiodarone?
• In some cases, amiodarone has been associated with serious and even fatalside effects such as lung problems, liver problems, and new or worsening irregularheartbeats amiodarone infusion. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits associated withthe use of amiodarone amiodarone infusion.
• Do not skip doses or change the dosing schedule without talking to yourdoctor amiodarone infusion. Missed or delayed doses could be harmful amiodarone infusion.
• Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with amiodarone amiodarone infusion. Amiodarone can interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice, and the interactionmay have dangerous effects amiodarone infusion. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruitjuice with your doctor amiodarone infusion.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities amiodarone infusion. Amiodarone may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision amiodarone infusion. Ifyou experience dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision, avoid these activities amiodarone infusion.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight amiodarone infusion. Amiodarone may cause the skin toturn a bluish-gray color amiodarone infusion. This reaction is worse with exposure to the sun amiodarone infusion. Usea sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable amiodarone infusion.
What is amiodarone?
• Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic medication amiodarone infusion. Amiodarone affects the waythat the heart beats amiodarone infusion.
• Amiodarone is used to treat irregular heartbeats amiodarone infusion.
• Amiodarone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide amiodarone infusion.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amiodarone?
• In some cases, amiodarone has been associated with serious and even fatalside effects such as lung problems, liver problems, and new or worsening irregularheartbeats amiodarone infusion. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits associated withthe use of amiodarone amiodarone infusion.
• Before taking amiodarone, tell your doctor if you
· have any other type of heart disease or heart problems;
· have liver disease;
· have vision problems (especially optic neuritis);
· have thyroid problems; or
· need to have surgery amiodarone infusion.
• You may not be able to take amiodarone, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove amiodarone infusion.
• Amiodarone is in the FDA pregnancy category D amiodarone infusion. This means that it isknown to be harmful to an unborn baby amiodarone infusion. Do not take amiodarone without firsttalking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment amiodarone infusion.
• Amiodarone passes into breast milk amiodarone infusion. It is not known whether this medicationwill affect a nursing infant amiodarone infusion. Do not take amiodarone without first talking toyour doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby amiodarone infusion.
How should I take amiodarone?
• Take amiodarone exactly as directed by your doctor amiodarone infusion. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you amiodarone infusion.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water amiodarone infusion.
• Amiodarone can be taken with or without food amiodarone infusion. However, it should alwaysbe taken the same way, either with or without food amiodarone infusion.
• Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with amiodarone amiodarone infusion. Amiodarone can interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice, and the interactionmay have dangerous effects amiodarone infusion. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruitjuice with your doctor amiodarone infusion.
• It is important to take amiodarone regularly to get the most benefit amiodarone infusion.
• Do not skip doses or change the dosing schedule without talking to yourdoctor amiodarone infusion. Missed or delayed doses could be harmful amiodarone infusion.
• Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluationsduring treatment with amiodarone to monitor progress and side effects amiodarone infusion.
• Store amiodarone at room temperature away from moisture and heat amiodarone infusion.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember amiodarone infusion. If it is almost time forthe next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduleddose amiodarone infusion. Do not take a double dose of this medication amiodarone infusion. A double dose could be dangerous amiodarone infusion.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected amiodarone infusion.
• Symptoms of an amiodarone overdose include tiredness, dizziness, confusion,a slow heart rate, yellowing of the skin or eyes, diarrhea, abdominal pain,and worsening irregular heartbeats amiodarone infusion.
What should I avoid while taking amiodarone?
• Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with amiodarone amiodarone infusion. Amiodarone can interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice, and the interactionmay have dangerous effects amiodarone infusion. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruitjuice with your doctor amiodarone infusion.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities amiodarone infusion. Amiodarone may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision amiodarone infusion. Ifyou experience dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision, avoid these activities amiodarone infusion.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight amiodarone infusion. Amiodarone may cause the skin toturn a bluish-gray color amiodarone infusion. This reaction is worse with exposure to the sun amiodarone infusion. Usea sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable amiodarone infusion.
• Follow any other special instructions given by your doctor regardingfood, beverages, or activities (e.g., driving) amiodarone infusion.
What are the possible side effects of amiodarone?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takingamiodarone and seek emergency medical attention:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· a new or a worsening irregular heartbeat pattern;
· wheezing, coughing, chest pain, or chest discomfort;
· yellowing of the skin or eyes;
· changes in vision, blurred vision, or decreased vision;
· cough or shortness of breath;
· fainting;
· tremor or involuntary movements; or
· skin rash;
• Other, less serious side effects may also occur amiodarone infusion. Continue to take amiodaroneand talk to your doctor if you experience
· dizziness or tiredness;
· upset stomach, vomiting, decreased appetite, or diarrhea;
· changes in taste;
· poor coordination;
· numbness, or tingling; or
· bluish-gray discoloration of the skin amiodarone infusion.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur amiodarone infusion. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome amiodarone infusion.
What other drugs will affect amiodarone?
• Before taking amiodarone, tell your doctor if you are taking any of thefollowing medicines:
· cimetidine (Tagamet);
· cholestyramine (Questran);
· cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral);
· dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant commonly used in prescriptionand over-the-counter cough medications);
· digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
· fentanyl (Duragesic, Actiq);
· lidocaine (Xylocaine, others);
· methotrexate (Rheumatrex);
· rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane);
· the herbal product St amiodarone infusion. John's wort;
· simvastatin (Zocor);
· theophylline (Theo-Bid, Theo-Dur, Theolair, Elixophyllin, Slo-Phyllin,others);
· warfarin (Coumadin);
· a protease inhibitor such as indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir-ritonavir(Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Fortovase,Invirase);
· phenytoin (Dilantin), ethotoin (Peganone), or mephenytoin (Mesantoin);
· flecainide (Tambocor), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan SR, Procanbid),quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinaglute, Quinora, Quinidex), disopyramide (Norpace),or other medicines used to treat irregular heartbeats;
· a beta-blocker such as acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol(Lopressor), propranolol (Inderal), and others; or
· a calcium channel blocker such as verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Isoptin),diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor XR), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), felodipine(Plendil), and others amiodarone infusion.
• You may not be able to take amiodarone, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above amiodarone infusion.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with amiodarone amiodarone infusion. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products amiodarone infusion.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has more information about amiodarone written for healthprofessionals that you may read amiodarone infusion.
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