Amiodarone

Akorn Pharmaceuticals | Amiodarone (Medication)

Desc:

Amiodarone is an antianginal and antiarrhythmic drug. It increases the duration of ventricular and atrial muscle action by inhibiting Na,K-activated myocardial adenosine triphosphatase. There is a resulting decrease in heart rate and in vascular resistance.

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. In addition to being an antiarrhythmic medication, amiodarone also causes blood vessels to dilate. This effect can result in a drop in blood pressure. Because of this effect, it also may be of benefit in patients with congestive heart failure. ...

Side Effect:

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.

Contact your healthcare provider at once if you have any of these serious side effects, even if they occur up to several months after you stop using amiodarone:a new or a worsening irregular heartbeat pattern; fast, slow, or pounding heartbeats; feeling like you might pass out; wheezing, cough, chest pain, trouble breathing, coughing up blood; blurred vision, vision loss, headache or pain behind your eyes, sometimes with vomiting; feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion, swelling, rapid weight gain; weight loss, thinning hair, feeling too hot or too cold, increased sweating, irregular menstrual periods, swelling in your neck (goiter); numbness, burning, pain, or tingling in your hands or feet; or nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). ...

Precaution:

Before taking amiodarone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:liver disease, lung disease, thyroid problems.

Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely as this medications may make you feel dizzy. Limit alcoholic beverages.

This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun, therefore avoid prolonged sun exposure and use a sunscreen.

Before having surgery, tell your doctors or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Amiodarone may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may affect the heart rhythm. Before using amiodarone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any of the following conditions:certain heart problems, family history of certain heart problems, low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood.

It is not recommended to use this drug during pregnancy or breastfeeding without your doctor's advice. ...