Amiodarone: Arrhythmia Drug Side Effects & Interactions (original) (raw)

Generic Name: amiodarone

Brand Names: Cordarone, Nextrone, Pacerone

Drug Class: Antidysrhythmics, III

What is amiodarone, and what is it used for?

Amiodarone is an oral and injectable drug that is used to correct abnormal rhythms of the heart. (It is an antiarrhythmic medication.)

Although amiodarone has many side effects, some of which are severe and potentially fatal, it has been successful in treating many arrhythmias when other antiarrhythmic drugs have failed. Amiodarone is considered a "broad spectrum" antiarrhythmic medication, that is, it has multiple and complex effects on the electrical activity of the heart which is responsible for the heart's rhythm. Among its most important electrical effects are:

  1. a delay in the rate at which the heart's electrical system "recharges" after the heart contracts (repolarization);
  2. prolongation in the electrical phase during which the heart's muscle cells are electrically stimulated (action potential);
  3. a slowing of the speed of electrical conduction (how fast each individual impulse is conducted through the heart's electrical system);
  4. a reduction in the rapidity of the firing of the normal generator of electrical impulses in the heart (the heart's pacemaker);
  5. a slowing of conduction through various specialized electrical pathways (called accessory pathways) which can be responsible for arrhythmias.

In addition to being an antiarrhythmic medication, amiodarone also causes blood vessels to dilate (enlarge). This effect can result in a drop in blood pressure. Because of this effect, it also may be of benefit in patients with congestive heart failure.

Amiodarone was discovered in 1961 and approved by the FDA in December 1985.

Warnings

What are the side effects of amiodarone?

Common side effects of amiodarone include:

Amiodarone is also associated with:

QUESTION In the U.S., 1 in every 4 deaths is caused by heart disease. See Answer

What is the dosage for amiodarone?

Which drugs interact with amiodarone?

Health News

Is amiodarone safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?

What else should I know about amiodarone?

What preparations of amiodarone are available?
How should I keep amiodarone stored?

Summary

Amiodarone is an oral and injectable medication prescribed to correct abnormal rhythms of the heart. Cordarone has several potentially fatal toxicities, including pulmonary toxicity (hypersensitivity pneumonitis or interstitial/alveolar pneumonitis). Common side effects of amiodarone include fatigue, eye deposits, tremor, unsteady gait, nausea, vomiting, constipation, weight loss, dizziness, and visual changes.

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Medically Reviewed on 3/9/2023

References

FDA Prescribing Information

Warning section courtesy of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration