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