Amiodarone/ Cordarone
Drug Name	Amiodarone/ Cordarone
Indication	Amiodarone is an anti-arrhythmic drug.
Physiology	Amiodarone is a class III antiarrhythmic agent approved for the treatment of life threatening ventricular tachyerrhythmias. Because of the potential toxicity the serum level of this drug should be monitored.
Normal Values	0.5-2.5 mg/L (>7 mmol/L).
Critical Values	Adverse effects at > 2.5 mg/L (>4 mmol/L).
Test Method	High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
Side effects	Amiodarone affects the metabolism of other cardioactive drugs; serum concentrations and pharmacological effects of the drugs can be increased. The use of the drug is restricted because of its many side effects, including pulmonary fibrosis, neuromuscular weakness, and exacerbation of congestive heart failure, tremor, thyroid dysfunction, and interaction with other drugs.
Related Drugs	Liver profile, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, Thyroxine