About Cordarone® (Amiodarone)
Codrarone (AMIODARONE) - AMIODARONE - ORAL
WARNING: Codrarone (AMIODARONE) should be used only after all other options have been tried and only
under close medical supervision. First doses must be given in a hospital setting. A response may not
be seen until 1 or 2 weeks after the medication is given.
If your doctor changes your dose or stops this medication, you may need to be in the hospital longer.
If amiodarone is stopped, it may stay in your body for weeks or months and could interfere with other
treatment.
Severe, even fatal, lung or liver problems have occurred in patients using this drug. Immediately
contact your doctor if you experience any of these serious side effects: cough, fever, chills,
chest pain, difficult or painful breathing, nausea, dark urine, muscle pain, stomach pain, yellowing
eyes/skin, unusually slow or irregular pulse, or blue-gray skin color.
Like other medications used to treat irregular heartbeats, this medication can make an irregular heartbeat worse. Heartbeat problems may occur even months after this drug has been stopped.
USES: This medication is used to treat irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and maintain a normal heart
rate.
HOW TO USE: This is best taken with food. However, it is most important to take amiodarone under the same conditions, consistently, for each dose. Ask your pharmacist for additional information.
This medication works best when there is a constant level of the drug in your body. To do this, take each dose exactly as prescribed at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night. Try to take each dose at the same time each day.
Do not stop taking this medication or change the dose without first consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped.
SIDE EFFECTS: Constipation, loss of appetite, bitter taste in mouth, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, flushing of face or decreased sexual interest may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If these effects persist or worsen, inform your MD.
Report promptly if you develop: painful breathing, shortness of breath, cough, slight fever, blue-gray coloring of skin, coldness, sweating, irregular pulse, skin rash, yellowing eyes or skin, vision changes.
This medication can increase sensitivity to sunlight. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your complete medical history, especially of: liver disease, heart problems, kidney problems, lung diseases, thyroid problems, allergies (especially drug allergies).
This medication may make you more prone to sunburn. Wear protective clothing and a sunscreen. This drug is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using this
drug. Codrarone (AMIODARONE) is excreted into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding because taking this drug while breast-feeding is not recommended.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Inform your doctor about all the medicines you use (both prescription and nonprescription), especially of: all heart drugs, blood thinners (e.g., warfarin), beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol), digoxin, phenytoin, theophylline.
Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include weakness, dizziness, unusually slow heartbeat, nausea, dark urine, fever, yellowing eyes or skin, stomach pain, or fainting.
NOTES: Your doctor may want you to check your pulse rate every day while you take this medication. Learn how to monitor your pulse.
Eye exams are required with this drug. To evaluate the effectiveness of this medication, your doctor may periodically take a blood sample to measure the amount of the drug in your body. Chest X-rays or electrocardiogram (EKG) may also be done. Keep all appointments with your doctor.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, do not take the missed dose at all and do not next dose. Instead, resume your usual dosing schedule. If 2 or more doses in a row are missed, contact your doctor.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and
judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed
to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare
professional before using this drug. No liability can be taken as a result of using this information.
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