Amiodarone: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Use

What is amiodarone for?

Amiodarone or amiodarone is a drug used to treat some serious types of arrhythmias (heart rhythm disorders), such as persistent ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia.

This drug works to restore normal heart rhythm and maintain a stable heart rate. Amiodarone is known as an anti-arrhythmic drug.

This drug works by blocking certain electrical signals to the heart that can cause an irregular heartbeat.

What are the rules for using amiodarone?

Take this medication once or twice a day, or according to the medication rules directed by your doctor. You can take this medication with or without food, but it is important to choose one method and take this medication the same way each dose.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Your doctor may direct you to start using this drug at a higher dose and gradually reduce the dose.

Do not use this medication for more than the recommended dose, for less, or for longer than the recommended dosage. Do not stop taking this medication or change your dose without first consulting your doctor.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or gets worse. Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store this drug?

There are several ways to store the drug that you must comply with, such as:

• Store amiodarone at room temperature. Do not be in a place that is too cold or too hot.
• Keep this medication away from exposure to sunlight or direct light.
• Keep this medication out of reach of children and pets.
• Do not store this medication in the bathroom or other damp places.
• Do not also store this drug until it freezes in the freezer.
• Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules.
• Always pay attention to the drug storage rules listed on the packaging.

If you are no longer using this medicine or if the medicine has expired, discard this medicine immediately according to the procedure for disposing of the medicine.

One of them, do not mix this drug with household waste. Do not also throw this drug in drains such as toilets.

Ask the pharmacist or staff from the local waste disposal agency about the proper and safe way to dispose of drugs for environmental health.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage for amiodarone for adults?

Adult dosage for arrhythmias

Initial (IV) dose: 1000 mg during the first 24 hours of treatment, given intravenously in the following way: 150 mg during the first 10 minutes (15 mg / min), followed by 360 mg over the next 6 hours (1 mg / min).

Maintenance dose: 540 mg for the remaining 18 hours (0.5 mg / min). This dose may be increased when the arrhythmia is treated effectively.

Supplemental infusion: 150 mg for 10 minutes (15 mg / min) for the breakdown of episodes of ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia where blood flow is unstable. The maximum dose is 30 mg / min.

The time spent on therapy depends on the stability of the arrhythmia, usually taking from 48 to 96 hours. The use of a maintenance infusion can be used as much as 0.5 mg / min for up to three weeks of use.

Average daily doses greater than 2100 mg for the first 24 hours are used by people at risk for hypotension.

Initial dose (oral): Loading doses of 800-1600 mg / day are required for use for 1-3 weeks (sometimes more) until there is a response to initial treatment.

When adequate arrhythmia control is achieved, or if side effects increase, the dose should be reduced to 600-800 mg / day for one month and then entered into the maintenance dose stage (400 mg / day). Some patients may need up to 600 mg / day.

Amiodarone can be given as a single dose, or in patients with severe gastrointestinal intolerance, the dose is given twice daily.

What is the dose of amiodarone for children?

Children's Dose for Supraventricular Tachycardia

Age ﹤ 1 month (Limited available data):

Oral dose: 10 to 20 mg / kg body weight / day orally in 2 divided doses for 7-10 days The dose should then be reduced to 5 to 10 mg / kg / day once daily and continued for 2-7 months. 50 babies (less than 9 months old) and neonates (1 day old).

Intravenous dose: 5 mg / kg body weight, given over 60 minutes

Note: bolus infusion rates generally do not exceed 0.25 mg / kg / min, unless clinically indicated. Most studies use a bolus infusion time of 60 minutes to avoid hypotension. It is possible to repeat the initial dose up to the initial total maximum dose: 10 mg / kg, not exceeding the daily bolus amount of 15 mg / kg / day.

Age ﹤ 1 year old:

Initial dose: 600-800 mg / 1.73 m² / day orally for 4-14 days, given in 1-2 divided doses per day.

Maintenance dose: 200-400 mg / 1.73 m² / day orally given once a day.

Age ﹥ 1 year old:

Initial dose: 10-15 mg / kg / day orally for 4-14 days, given in 1-2 divided doses per day.

Maintenance dose: 5-10 mg / kg / day orally, given once daily.

In what dosage and preparation is this drug available?

Amiodarone dosages are available in tablets and liquid.

Side effects

What are the possible side effects of amiodarone?

Stop using amiodarone and call your doctor if you have any of the following serious side effects:

• A new or irregular heartbeat pattern that gets worse
• Fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat
• Feel like passing out
• Wheezing sound, coughing, chest pain, difficulty breathing, coughing up blood
• Blurred vision, loss of vision, headache or pain behind your eyes, sometimes vomiting
• Feeling short of breath, even with light activity, swelling, rapid weight gain
• Weight loss, hair thinning, feeling too hot or too cold, increased sweating, irregular menstrual periods, swelling in the neck (goiter)
• Numbness, burning, pain, or tingling sensation in the hands or feet or
• Nausea, stomach pain, fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-like stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

Less serious side effects may include:

• Feel dizzy or tired
• Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation, loss of appetite
• Sleep problems (insomnia)
• Weak, lack of coordination
• The skin feels warm, tingling, or there is redness under the skin

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above.

If you have any concerns about certain side effects when using this anti-arrhythmic medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions & Warnings

Whatever

Before using amiodarone, be sure to do the following:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to amiodarone, iodine, or any other medication
• Tell your doctor if you have low levels of platelets (the type of blood cells required for normal clotting) in your blood and if you have heavy bleeding that cannot be stopped anywhere in your body. Your doctor may advise you not to use amiodarone
• Tell your doctor what herbal products you use, especially St. John's Wort
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had certain health conditions, or if you have problems with your blood pressure
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor if you plan to become pregnant or breastfeed during the first few months after treatment because amiodarone may remain in your body for some time after you stop taking this medicine. If you become pregnant while using amiodarone, call your doctor.
• Talk with your doctor about the risks of taking this medicine if you are 65 years of age and older. The elderly are usually discouraged from using amiodarone because it is not as safe or effective as other drugs 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 about using amiodarone
• Avoid sun exposure or sunlamps unnecessary or old clothes and wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Amiodarone can make your skin sensitive to sunlight. Skin that is exposed to sun exposure may turn gray and may not return to normal even after you stop taking this medicine.
• Amiodarone can cause vision problems including permanent blindness. Be sure to have regular eye exams during your treatment and call your doctor if your eyes become sensitive to light or if you see halos, or have blurred vision or other problems with your vision.
• It is important to understand that amiodarone may remain in your body for several months after you stop using it. You may continue to experience the side effects of amiodarone during this time. Be sure to tell any healthcare providers who treat you or arrange any medication for you during this time that you have recently stopped using amiodarone.

is is this drug safe for pregnant and lactating women?

Taking this medicine while pregnant could cause serious health problems for the fetus, or it could cause problems with the thyroid gland in the newborn.

Amiodarone may adversely affect a child's development, be it movement, speech, or even academic ability. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category D according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Meanwhile, for nursing mothers, it is better not to breastfeed while taking this medicine or for several months after stopping using this medicine. Amiodarone takes longer to completely clear from your body.

Ask your doctor how to feed your baby if you really have to take this medicine. Amiodarone passes into breast milk and can harm your baby. Do not use this medication while you are breastfeeding a baby.

Interaction

What other medicines may interact with amiodarone?

According to MedlinePlus, here is a list of drugs that may interact with amiodarone:

• antidepressant drugs
• blood thinners (warfarin)
• cholesterol-lowering drugs (lovastatin, atorvastatin, simvastatin)
• dextromethorphan
• HIV drugs (ritonavir, indinavir)
• diabetes medication
• rifampin

Can food or alcohol interact with amiodarone?

Certain drugs should not be used when eating certain foods because drug-food interactions can occur.

Smoking tobacco or consuming alcohol with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur.

Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

Avoid eating grapefruit (grapefruit) or drinking red grapefruit juice while using the medicine unless your doctor allows it.

Grapefruit and grapefruit drugs can increase the risk of interactions. Consult your doctor and pharmacist for more info.

What health conditions can interact with this drug?

The presence of other health problems in your body can affect the use of the drug amiodarone. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, such as:

• AV block (a type of abnormal heart rhythm), without a pacemaker
• Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
• Cardiogenic shock
• Sinus disease syndrome (a type of abnormal heart rhythm), without a pacemaker. Should not be used in patients with this condition.
• Eye problems or vision problems
• Heart disease (for example, congestive heart failure)
• Heart rhythm problems (for example, QT prolongation)
• Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood)
• Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium in the blood)
• Hypotension (low blood pressure)
• Lung disease or other respiratory problems (for example, interstitial pneumonitis)
• Thyroid problems. Use with care. It might make your condition worse.

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or symptoms of an overdose appear due to consumption of amiodarone, call an ambulance (118/119) or immediately go to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Overdose symptoms may include:

• Heart rate slows down
• Nausea
• Blurred vision
• Headache
• Fainting

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, use it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

The reason is, double doses do not guarantee that you can recover faster. In addition, using excessive doses actually increases the risk of side effects and the risk of overdose. It is better to use the dosage as specified on the drug packaging for safe use.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.