Amiodarone

About Amiodarone

This belongs to the group of medicines known as anti-arrhythmics.

Amiodarone is used to treat heart arrhythmias. An arrhythmia is an irregularity in the heartbeat, which causes the heart to miss a beat, beat irregularly, or beat at the wrong speed.

Amiodarone works by correcting the rhythm of the heart and by slowing a heart that is beating too fast, especially after a heart attack.

Amiodarone is available in tablet and injection form.

It is also sometimes known as: Cordarone X; Amyben. You may notice the use of any of these names on the packaging of your medicine.

Before Taking Amiodarone

Before taking Amiodarone make sure that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• if you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding
• if you suffer from any heart, liver or kidney problems
• if you suffer from thyroid problems or porphyria
• if you are allergic to iodine
• if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine
• if you are taking any other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines

How to Take Amiodarone

• Always read the manufacturer's information leaflet, if possible, before beginning treatment.
• Take Amiodarone exactly as directed by your doctor or pharmacist
• Swallow Amiodarone tablets whole with a glass of water.
• Do not stop taking Amiodarone, even if you begin to feel better without speaking to your doctor first. Stopping treatment may cause your symptoms to return.
• Try to take Amiodarone at the same times each day to avoid missing any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Amiodarone take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue taking it at the usual times. Never take two doses at the same time to make up. If in doubt speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
• Amiodarone is for you. Never give it to others, even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
• Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect you or someone else has taken an overdose of Amiodarone contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with, if possible, even if it is empty.
• Before taking any 'over-the-counter' medicines, check with your pharmacist which medicines are safe for you to take alongside Amiodarone.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Keep your appointments with your doctor so that your progress can be checked. You will need to have regular blood tests while you are taking Amiodarone.
• Before having any kind of treatment, including dental or emergency treatment, tell the surgeon, dentist or doctor that you are taking Amiodarone.
• Amiodarone increases your skin's sensitivity to sunlight, causing it to burn easily. You should try to avoid exposure to the sun and sunbeds or alternatively use a sunscreen higher than factor 15. Your skin may continue to be sensitive to sunlight for several months after you have stopped taking Amiodarone.
• Amiodarone can affect your eyesight, this is especially a problem when driving at night as you may be dazzled by oncoming headlights. Make sure that you know how your eyes react before driving at night or in weather conditions when poor visibility requires the use of headlights.
• If you have been taking Amiodarone for a long period of time, your skin may turn a blue-grey colour, especially in areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck and arms. This colouring will usually fade when you stop taking Amiodarone but this may take several months. If you are worried, ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice.

Can Amiodarone cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. If any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome speak with your pharmacist or doctor.

Problems with eyesight, pins and needles, muscle pains, feeling sick, vomiting, metallic taste in the mouth, shakiness, hot flushes, sweating, nightmares, difficulty in walking and balance, headache, difficulty sleeping, tiredness, hair loss, sexual problems, painful swelling of the testicles, skin rashes.

Important: If you experience any of the following side effects contact your doctor immediately.

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), extreme restlessness, unusual bruising or bleeding, loss of weight, extreme tiredness, gain in weight, cough with shortness of breath, chest pain or palpitations (fast heartbeat).

If you experience any other worrying symptoms, which you think may be due to this medicine, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store Amiodarone

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
• Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Either discard them safely out of the reach of children or take them to your local pharmacist who will dispose of them for you.

© EMIS and Cegedim Pharmacy Services Ltd 2005   Updated: 02/02/2005