Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Amiodarone is available with a prescription as an anti-arrhythmic drug. It is used by patients with diagnosed disorders in the proper functioning of the heart, such as tachycardia or repeated ventricular fibrillation.
Manufacturer of the drug: different manufacturers depending on the preparation
Form, dose, packaging: tablets, coated tablets, injection solutions; 200 mg 30 pcs., 60 pcs. 50mg / ml. 6 ampoules, 3 ml each
Availability category: Rp – prescription drug
The active substance: amiodarone hydrochloride
Amiodarone – indications for use
amiodarone is indicated for patients who exhibit cardiac arrhythmias. These are people suffering from atrial fibrillation, supraventricular and nodal tachycardia, and the so-called paroxysmal supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. It is also effective in normalizing the heart rate in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. amiodarone it is also used when other antiarrhythmic drugs do not produce the desired therapeutic effect.
Amiodarone – dosage
Generally amiodarone it is given for the first time while you are in hospital. However, if the treatment amiodarone is continued, it must be supervised by a cardiologist. Usually used dose oral in case amiodarone is 1 tablet (200 mg) 3 times a day. This is called loading dosewhich should be used for a week. Next doses will doses supporting – depending on the patient, this will be 100 mg (taken every day) to 200 mg (taken every other day). In case of omission of doses do not panic, as you can take breaks in taking amiodarone (maximum 2 days).
Amiodarone – contraindications to use
amiodarone it should not be given to children, as well as people who have problems with the proper functioning of the liver, kidneys and thyroid gland. Also hypersensitivity reactions to amiodarone or auxiliary substances are a contraindication to use the drug. Amiodarone should not be taken by patients suffering from: sinus bradycardia, sick sinus syndrome, sinoatrial block. Women in pregnancy iw the period of lactation also should not take amiodarone.
Amiodarone – warnings
Use amiodarone should be preceded by the following tests: ECG, determination of serum potassium concentration and TSH. It is very important that the patient is taking amiodarone he was under the constant supervision of a cardiologist and had periodic ECG examinations. It is also important to monitor liver enzyme levels. amiodarone causes photosensitivity reactions, therefore excessive exposure during treatment should be avoided. Drinking alcohol will impair the effect of the drug.
Amiodarone – interactions
Should not be used amiodarone with class Ia, class III antiarrhythmics, antipsychotics, antihistamines, fluoroquinolones.
Amiodarone – side effects
The most common: visual disturbances, photophobia, nausea, vomiting, abnormal levels of liver enzymes, bradycardia, hypothyroidism.
Before use, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly is a threat to your life or health.