Amiodarone - Indications, Dosage, Side Effects and Precautions

It should not be administered to patients allergic to the drug or to iodine, pregnant women, shock due to a cardiac cause, and some heart conditions such as sinus node dysfunction and severe heart block.

Oral:Ventricular arrhythmias- Adult: 800-1,600 mg/day in 1-2 divided doses for 1-3 week until initial therapeutic response is achieved then reduce dose to 600-800 mg/day in 1-2 divided doses for 1 month. Maintenance: 400 mg/day; lower doses may be used for supraventricular arrhythmias. Close monitoring of the patient is recommended. Use the minimum effective dose. Liver impairment: Dosage reduction may be necessary.
IV Recommended starting dose is approximately 1,000 mg over the first 24 h administered as follows: rapid administration of 150 mg over first 10 min (15 mg/min), followed by 360 mg over next 6 h (1mg/min), then 540 mg over remaining 18 h (0.5 mg/min). After first 24 h, continue maintenance infusion rate of 0.5 mg/min (720 mg/24 h).

It comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day with or without food. (Take consistently with or without meals. Take with meals if high dose or to reduce GI discomfort.). Injection administered into the vein by a health care provider.

•  Heart: Abnormal heart rhythm, heart failure, heart attack, low blood pressure, sinus arrest.
•  Central Nervous System: Abnormal gait/ lack of coordination, dizziness, fatigue, uneasiness, tingling, tremor/abnormal involuntary movement, headache, sleep disturbances, confusion, delirium, disorientation, pseudotumor cerebri( increased pressure inside the skull).
•  Skin: Sensitivity to sunlight, flushing, redness, severe allergic reactions, itching, blue-gray discoloration, skin cancer.
•  Eye and ENT: Visual disturbances, abnormal smell sensation, ringing in the ears, may lead to blindness.
•  Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, abdominal pain, abnormal salivation, abnormal taste, inflammation of pancreas.
•  Genitourinary: Acute kidney failure, inflammation of testis, impotence, decreased sexual activities.
•  Blood: Blood clot abnormalities, anemia, and decrease in blood cells.
•  Liver: Abnormal liver function tests, liver disorders, jaundice.
•  Local: Swelling, redness, necrosis, pain, inflammation , blood clot.
•  Musculoskeletal: Muscle weakness, muscle pain, muscle damage.
•  Respiratory: Cough, difficulty in breathing, lung infiltrates, wheezing, lung inflammation, fibrosis.
•  Miscellaneous: It may cause severe allergic reactions, leg swelling , fever and increased secretion of antidiuretic hormone. It interferes with thyroid function and may increase or decrease thyroid hormone levels.

Avoid excessive sunlight exposure due to increased risk of photosensitivity

Injection: Store at 15-25°C. Store it in airtight container and keep away from children.