amiodarone off label toxicity
(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 off label toxicity. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits associated withthe use of amiodarone amiodarone off label toxicity.
• Do not skip doses or change the dosing schedule without talking to yourdoctor amiodarone off label toxicity. Missed or delayed doses could be harmful amiodarone off label toxicity.
• Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with amiodarone amiodarone off label toxicity. Amiodarone can interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice, and the interactionmay have dangerous effects amiodarone off label toxicity. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruitjuice with your doctor amiodarone off label toxicity.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities amiodarone off label toxicity. Amiodarone may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision amiodarone off label toxicity. Ifyou experience dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision, avoid these activities amiodarone off label toxicity.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight amiodarone off label toxicity. Amiodarone may cause the skin toturn a bluish-gray color amiodarone off label toxicity. This reaction is worse with exposure to the sun amiodarone off label toxicity. Usea sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable amiodarone off label toxicity.
What is amiodarone?
• Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic medication amiodarone off label toxicity. Amiodarone affects the waythat the heart beats amiodarone off label toxicity.
• Amiodarone is used to treat irregular heartbeats amiodarone off label toxicity.
• Amiodarone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide amiodarone off label toxicity.
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 off label toxicity. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits associated withthe use of amiodarone amiodarone off label toxicity.
• 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 off label toxicity.
• 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 off label toxicity.
• Amiodarone is in the FDA pregnancy category D amiodarone off label toxicity. This means that it isknown to be harmful to an unborn baby amiodarone off label toxicity. Do not take amiodarone without firsttalking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment amiodarone off label toxicity.
• Amiodarone passes into breast milk amiodarone off label toxicity. It is not known whether this medicationwill affect a nursing infant amiodarone off label toxicity. Do not take amiodarone without first talking toyour doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby amiodarone off label toxicity.
How should I take amiodarone?
• Take amiodarone exactly as directed by your doctor amiodarone off label toxicity. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you amiodarone off label toxicity.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water amiodarone off label toxicity.
• Amiodarone can be taken with or without food amiodarone off label toxicity. However, it should alwaysbe taken the same way, either with or without food amiodarone off label toxicity.
• Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with amiodarone amiodarone off label toxicity. Amiodarone can interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice, and the interactionmay have dangerous effects amiodarone off label toxicity. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruitjuice with your doctor amiodarone off label toxicity.
• It is important to take amiodarone regularly to get the most benefit amiodarone off label toxicity.
• Do not skip doses or change the dosing schedule without talking to yourdoctor amiodarone off label toxicity. Missed or delayed doses could be harmful amiodarone off label toxicity.
• Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluationsduring treatment with amiodarone to monitor progress and side effects amiodarone off label toxicity.
• Store amiodarone at room temperature away from moisture and heat amiodarone off label toxicity.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember amiodarone off label toxicity. If it is almost time forthe next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduleddose amiodarone off label toxicity. Do not take a double dose of this medication amiodarone off label toxicity. A double dose could be dangerous amiodarone off label toxicity.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected amiodarone off label toxicity.
• 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 off label toxicity.
What should I avoid while taking amiodarone?
• Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with amiodarone amiodarone off label toxicity. Amiodarone can interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice, and the interactionmay have dangerous effects amiodarone off label toxicity. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruitjuice with your doctor amiodarone off label toxicity.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities amiodarone off label toxicity. Amiodarone may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision amiodarone off label toxicity. Ifyou experience dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision, avoid these activities amiodarone off label toxicity.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight amiodarone off label toxicity. Amiodarone may cause the skin toturn a bluish-gray color amiodarone off label toxicity. This reaction is worse with exposure to the sun amiodarone off label toxicity. Usea sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable amiodarone off label toxicity.
• Follow any other special instructions given by your doctor regardingfood, beverages, or activities (e.g., driving) amiodarone off label toxicity.
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 off label toxicity. 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 off label toxicity.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur amiodarone off label toxicity. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome amiodarone off label toxicity.
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 off label toxicity. 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 off label toxicity.
• 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 off label toxicity.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with amiodarone amiodarone off label toxicity. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products amiodarone off label toxicity.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has more information about amiodarone written for healthprofessionals that you may read amiodarone off label toxicity.
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