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Amiodarone

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Follow carefully the directions you have been given for taking amiodarone tablets.
Avoid sunbeds and direct sunlight while you are taking amiodarone and for several months afterwards.
Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice.

About amiodarone

Type of medicine	Anti-arrhythmic
Used for	Arrhythmias (irregular heart beats)
Also called	Cordarone X®, Amyben®
Available as	Tablets and injection

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.

Before taking amiodarone

Before taking amiodarone make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
If you suffer from liver or thyroid problems.
If you have heart block or heart failure.
If you suffer from porphyria (a rare blood disorder).
If you are allergic to iodine.
If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines.
If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine.

How to take amiodarone

Before beginning treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet.
Take your medication exactly as directed by your doctor. Swallow amiodarone tablets with a drink of water.
The usual dose of amiodarone is 200mg three times a day for the first week, then 200mg twice a day for the second week, and reduced to 200mg daily from the third week. It is very important that you follow the directions given to you by your doctor. If you are not sure what dose to take, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Do not stop taking amiodarone without speaking to your doctor first, even if you begin to feel better. 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, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue taking amiodarone at the usual times. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up.

Getting the most from your treatment

If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking amiodarone.
Keep your regular doctor's appointment so your progress can be monitored. You will need to have regular blood tests while you are taking amiodarone.
Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while you are taking amiodarone as it can increase the level of amiodarone in your blood.
If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.

Can amiodarone cause problems?

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

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine	What can I do if I experience this
Feeling or being sick	Eat little and often and stick to simple foods
Increased sensitivity to sunlight	Avoid sunlight or protect exposed areas by using a suncream with both UVA and UVB protection. Your skin may continue to be sensitive to sunlight for several months after you have stopped taking amiodarone
Blurred vision and night glare (for instance, being dazzled by oncoming headlights)	Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not able to see clearly. Be cautious when driving at night and in poor weather conditions
Blue-grey skin discolouration on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck and arms	This colouring will usually fade when you stop taking amiodarone but may take several months
Changes in taste, shakiness, nightmares and difficulty sleeping	If troublesome, speak with your doctor

Important: If you experience jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes), unusual bruising or bleeding, severe headache, cough with shortness of breath, extreme tiredness with changes in your weight, or chest pain speak with your doctor immediately or go to your local accident and emergency department without delay.

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

How to store amiodarone

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines

Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Take the container with you, even if it is empty.
This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

References

Manufacturer's PIL, Cordarone X®, Sanofi-Synthelabo, electronic Medicines Compendium. Revised May 2007, accessed 26 June 2008.
British National Formulary; 55th Edition (March 2008) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London (link to current BNF).

Comprehensive patient resources are available at www.patient.co.uk

DocID:
3263

DocRef:
dils2157

Last Updated:
17 Aug 2008

Date of Next Review:
17 Aug 2010

Version:
22

The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.

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