Amiodarone Oral Tablet

Amiodarone oral tablet is a prescription drug that’s available as the brand-name drug Pacerone. It’s also available in its generic form. Generic drugs usually cost less than brand-name versions.

Amiodarone also comes as an intravenous (IV) solution for injection, which is only given by a healthcare provider.

This drug may be used as part of a combination therapy. That means you need to take it with other drugs.

Why it's used

Amiodarone is used to treat heart rate problems that are life threatening. It’s usually given when other drugs haven’t worked.

How it works

Amiodarone belongs to a class of drugs called antiarrhythmics. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

Amiodarone treats and prevents abnormal heartbeats by working inside cells to control muscle contractions in the heart. This helps your heart beat normally.

Amiodarone oral tablet does not cause drowsiness, but it can cause other side effects.

More common side effects

The most common side effects that can occur with amiodarone oral tablet include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• fatigue
• tremor
• lack of coordination
• constipation
• insomnia
• headache
• stomach pain
• decreased sex drive or performance
• uncontrollable or unusual movements of the body

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

• Allergic reactions. Symptoms can include:
  • skin rash
  • itching
  • hives
  • swelling of your lips, face, or tongue
• Lung problems. Symptoms can include:
  • wheezing
  • trouble breathing
  • shortness of breath
  • coughing
  • chest pain
  • spitting up blood
• Vision changes. Symptoms can include:
  • blurred vision
  • increased sensitivity to light
  • vision problems such as seeing blue or green halos (circles around objects)
• Liver problems. Symptoms can include:
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • dark urine
  • yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
• Heart problems. Symptoms can include:
  • chest pain
  • fast or irregular heart rate
  • feeling lightheaded or faint
  • unexplained weight loss or weight gain
• Stomach problems. Symptoms can include:
  • spitting up blood
  • stomach pain
  • nausea or vomiting
• Thyroid problems. Symptoms can include:
  • decreased tolerance to heat or cold
  • increased sweating
  • weakness
  • weight loss or weight gain
  • thinning hair
• Pain and swelling of your scrotum
• Nerve damage. Symptoms can include:
  • pain, tingling, or numbness in your hands or feet
  • muscle weakness
  • uncontrolled movements
  • trouble walking
• Serious skin reactions. Symptoms can include:
  • blue-gray skin color
  • severe sunburn

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

This drug comes with several warnings.

Allergy warning

Don’t take this drug again if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal.

Food interactions warning

Don’t drink grapefruit juice while taking this drug. Drinking grapefruit juice while taking amiodarone may increase the amount of amiodarone in your body.

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with an iodine allergy: Don’t use this drug. It contains iodine.

For people with heart failure or heart disease: Use amiodarone with caution. This drug may weaken your heart’s contractions and slow your heart rate.

Don’t use amiodarone if you have severe sinus node dysfunction with a slow heart rate, fainting due to slow heart rate, second or third degree heart block, or if your heart suddenly cannot pump enough blood throughout your body (cardiogenic shock).

For people with lung disease: Use amiodarone with extreme caution if you have lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or if your lungs don’t work well. Amiodarone may cause toxic side effects to your lungs and may even be fatal.

For people with liver disease: Use amiodarone with caution if you have liver disease, such as cirrhosis or liver damage. These conditions may cause amiodarone to build up in your body and be toxic to your liver.

For people with thyroid disease: If you have thyroid disease, you may experience low or high thyroid hormone levels while taking amiodarone. This may make your condition worse.

For people with nerve disease: Use amiodarone with caution if you have any neurological disease, such as peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson’s disease, muscular dystrophy, or epilepsy. Taking this drug may cause nerve damage and make these conditions worse.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant women: Amiodarone can harm your pregnancy if you take this drug while pregnant. Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant, even if you are stopping treatment with amiodarone. This drug can stay in your body for months after treatment has stopped.

For women who are breastfeeding: Amiodarone may pass through breast milk and cause serious effects in a breastfeeding child. You should not breastfeed while taking amiodarone. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your child.

For seniors: In general, as you age, your organs, such as your liver, kidneys, and heart, don’t work as well as they once did. More of the drug may stay in your body and put you at an increased risk for side effects.

For children: The safety and effectiveness of amiodarone haven’t been established in people under the age of 18 years.

Amiodarone oral tablet can be used for long-term or short-term treatment. Your doctor will determine how long you’ll be treated with amiodarone depending on how well your body responds to it. This drug comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

If you don’t take it at all or skip doses: If you don’t take amiodarone as prescribed, you may be at risk for serious heart problems.

If you take too much: If you think you’ve taken too much amiodarone, go to the emergency room right away, or call your local poison control center.

What to do if you miss a dose: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, take only one dose at that time. Don’t take extra doses or double up on doses to make up for the missed dose.

How to tell if the drug is working: You may be able to tell if this medication is working if your symptoms improve. Your dizziness, nausea, chest pain, shortness of breath, or rapid heart rate should get better.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes amiodarone oral tablet for you.

General

• You can take this drug with or without food. However, you should take it the same way each time.
• Take amiodarone at the same times every day, at regular intervals.

Storage

• Store this drug at a temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C).
• Protect this drug from light.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

• Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
• Don’t worry about airport x-ray machines. They can’t hurt your medication.
• You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled box with you.
• Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Clinical monitoring

You’ll be monitored closely while you’re taking amiodarone. Your doctor will check your:

• liver
• lungs
• thyroid
• eyes
• heart

You’ll also get a chest x-ray and blood tests. Your doctor will do blood tests that check how much amiodarone is in your blood to make sure it’s safe for you.

Sun sensitivity

Amiodarone may you make you more sensitive to sunlight. Try to avoid the sun while taking this drug. Wear sunscreen and protective clothing if you’ll be in the sun. Don’t use sun lamps or tanning beds.

Insurance

Many insurance companies will require a prior authorization before they approve the prescription and pay for amiodarone.