Amiodarone is for use only in life-threatening situations. This medication has the
potential to cause side effects that could be fatal, and you will receive your first few doses in a
hospital setting.
, or if you have
certain heart conditions such as "AV block," or a history of slow heart beats.
Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are
pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell
your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be
tested on a regular basis. Your thyroid and liver function may also need to be tested, and you
may need eye exams and chest x-rays. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
You may continue to have side effects from amiodarone after you stop taking it. It could
take up to several months for the medicine to completely clear from your body.
What is amiodarone?
Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic medication that affects the rhythm of heartbeats.
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.
Amiodarone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amiodarone?
Amiodarone is for use only in life-threatening situations. This medication has the
potential to cause side effects that could be fatal, and you will receive your first few doses in a
hospital setting.
You may continue to have side effects from amiodarone after you stop taking it. It could
take up to several months for the medicine to completely clear from your body.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to amiodarone or iodine, or if you have:
-
certain heart conditions, especially "AV block" (unless you have a
pacemaker); or
-
a history of slow heart beats that have caused you to faint.
Before taking amiodarone, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any
drugs, or if you have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take amiodarone.
FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do
not use amiodarone without your doctor's consent if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you
become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using
this medication.
Amiodarone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication while you are breast-feeding a baby.
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