Amiodarone

Amiodarone may cause lung damage that can be serious or life-threatening. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any type of lung disease or if you have ever developed lung damage or breathing problems while taking amiodarone. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: fever, shortness of breath, wheezing, other breathing problems, cough, or coughing or spitting up blood.

Amiodarone may also cause liver damage. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: nausea, vomiting, dark-colored urine, excessive tiredness, yellowing of the skin or eyes, itching, or pain in the upper right part of the stomach.

Amiodarone may cause your arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm) to worsen or may cause you to develop new arrhythmias. Tell your doctor if you have ever been dizzy or lightheaded or have fainted because your heartbeat was too slow and if you have or have ever had low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood; heart or thyroid disease; or any problems with your heart rhythm other than the arrhythmia that is being treated. Tell your doctor and pharmacist what medications you are taking or planning to take. Some medications may increase the risk of new arrythmia occurring if taken with amiodarone. Do not start or stop any medications while taking amiodarone without discussing with your doctor or pharmacist. If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: lightheadedness; fainting; fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat; or feeling that your heart has skipped a beat.

You will probably be hospitalized when you begin your treatment with amiodarone. Your doctor will monitor you carefully during this time and for as long as you continue to take amiodarone.

You will be given the Medication Guide. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also obtain the Medication Guide by visiting: https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm.

Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking amiodarone.

Amiodarone is used to treat and prevent certain types of ventricular arrhythmias (a certain type of abnormal heart rhythm) and unstable tachycardia (fast hear rate). Amiodarone is in a class of medications called antiarrhythmics. It works by relaxing overactive heart muscles.

Amiodarone comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is taken 1 to 2 times a day. You may take with or without food, but be sure to take it the same way each time.

Take amiodarone exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Do not stop taking amiodarone without talking to your doctor. You may need to be closely monitored or even hospitalized when you stop taking amiodarone. Amiodarone may remain in your body for some time after you stop taking it, so your doctor will watch you carefully during this time.

Your doctor will probably start you on a high dose of amiodarone and gradually decrease your dose as the medication begins to work. Your doctor may decrease your dose during your treatment if you develop side effects. Follow your doctor's directions carefully.

Amiodarone is also sometimes used to treat other types of arrhythmias. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before taking amiodarone,

• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication, any part of this medication, or any other medications, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
• some medications should not be taken with amiodarone. Other medications may cause dosing changes or extra monitoring when taken with amiodarone. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before starting amiodarone with your doctor and pharmacist. Before starting, stopping, or changing any medications while taking amiodarone, please get the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
• the following nonprescription or herbal products may interact with amiodarone: St. John's Wort. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start taking amiodarone. Do not start any of these medications while taking amiodarone without discussing with your healthcare provider.
• tell your doctor if you have or have had problems with your thyroid or with your blood pressure. Tell your doctor if you have an implantable cardiac device (a defibrillator or pacemaker).
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Talk to your doctor if you plan to become pregnant during your treatment because amiodarone may remain in your body for some time after you stop taking it. If you become pregnant while taking amiodarone, call your doctor immediately. Amiodarone can cause fetal harm.
• tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Do not breastfeed while you are taking amiodarone.
• amiodarone may decrease your ability to father or conceive a child. Talk to your doctor about risks of taking amiodarone.
• talk to your doctor about the risks of taking this medication if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not usually take amiodarone because it is not as safe or effective as other medication(s) that can be used to treat the same condition.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery or laser eye surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking amiodarone.
• plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight or sunlamps and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Amiodarone may make your skin sensitive to sunlight. Exposed skin may turn blue-gray and may not return to normal even after you stop taking this medication.
• you should know that amiodarone may cause vision problems including permanent blindness. Be sure to have regular eye exams during your treatment and call your doctor if your eyes become dry, sensitive to light, if you see halos, or have blurred vision or any other problems with your vision.
• you should know that amiodarone may remain in your body for several months after you stop taking it. You may continue to experience side effects of amiodarone during this time. Be sure to tell every health care provider who treats you or prescribes any medication for you during this time that you have recently stopped taking amiodarone.

Do not drink grapefruit juice while you are taking this medication.

Skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Amiodarone may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• constipation
• loss of appetite
• headache
• decreased sex drive
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• flushing
• changes in ability to taste and smell
• changes in amount of saliva

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• rash, hives, itching, swelling of face, throat or tongue
• weight loss or gain, restlessness, weakness, nervousness or irritability, intolerance to hear or cold, thinning of hair, excessive sweating, changes in menstrual cycle, swelling in the front of the neck (goiter), difficulty concentrating
• numbness or tingling in the hands, legs, and feet
• weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, confusion, fainting, chest pain

Amiodarone may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light, excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.

Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain tests, such as blood tests, X-rays, and electrocardiograms (EKGs, tests that record the electrical activity of the heart) before and during your treatment to be sure that it is safe for you to take amiodarone and to check your body's response to the medication.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

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