AMIODARONE

Brand names: Cordarone X

Use: Amiodarone is used to treat heart arrhythmias, particularly when other drugs are ineffective.

May be used to treat paroxysmal, nodal, and ventricular tachycardias, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and ventricular fibrillation.

Treatment with amiodarone should be intitiated only under hospital or specialist supervision.

Cautions:

Liver and kidney impairment
Heart failure
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Thyroid dysfunction
Elderly

Side effects:

Nausea, vomiting, taste disturbance (metallic taste), liver problems, lung problems (pneumonitis), hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, tremor, sleep disorders, peripheral neuropathy, corneal microdeposits, skin discolouration, rash and photosensitivity.

Interactions:

Amiodarone has a long half-life & there is potential for drug interactions to occur for several weeks after treatment with amiodarone has been stopped.

Other heart medicines (eg. digoxin, warfarin, beta-blockers and calcium-channel blockers) should be used with caution in combination with amiodarone.