 Home / Heart and Vascular / Cordarone, amiodarone |
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 Cordarone, amiodaroneBuy Cordarone to treat arrhythmia, including ventricular fibrillation, atrial fibrillation, atril flutter, and tachycardia. It can also be used to treat congestive heart failure. The usual initial treatment (“loading dose”) is from 800 to 1600 mg daily for 1 to 3 weeks, until a therapeutic response is achieved. After this, dosage should be reduced to 600 to 800 mg daily for one month, and then to a 400 mg maintenance dose.Contraindications: Consult a doctor before taking Cordarone if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you are allergic to any of its ingredients, if you are taking any other medications (especially agalsidase beta, dofetilide, HIV medications (nelfinavir, ritonavir), quinipristin, dalfopristin, other antiarrhythmics or heart medications, blood thinners, cimetidine, cyclosporine, digoxin, fentanyl, methotrexate, phenytoin, rifampin, statins, St. John’s wort, or grapefruit juice), or if you have a history of severe sinus node dysfunction resulting in marked sinus bradycardia, second or third degree atrioventricular block, bradycardia with associated syncope (except when a pacemaker is used), liver disease, heart problems, low blood pressure, lung disease, thyroid problems, or electrolyte deficiency. To read more about Cordarone side effects, Cordarone dosage, and for more useful information about Cordarone (amiodarone), please click the product information link below.  PRODUCT INFORMATION |
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Other name(s): Trangorex, Pacerone |
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Often prescribed for arrhythmia |
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READ MORE ABOUT HEART AND VASCULAR
Cordarone, amiodaroneChemical Namesamiodarone Ingredients Active Ingredients: amiodarone Non-Active Ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, lactose, magnesium stearate, povidone, starch, and FD&C Red 40. Cordarone is a benzofuran derivative: 2-butyl-3-benzofuranyl 4-[2(diethylamino)-ethoxy]-3,5-diiodophenyl ketone hydrochloride Indications Cordarone is indicated in the treatment of arrhythmia, including ventricular fibrillation, atrial fibrillation, atril flutter, and tachycardia. It can also be used to treat congestive heart failure. How It Works 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: a delay in the rate at which the heart's electrical system "recharges" after the heart contracts (repolarization); a prolongation in the electrical phase during which the heart's muscle cells are electrically stimulated (action potential); a slowing of the speed of electrical conduction (how fast each individual impulse is conducted through the heart's electrical system); a reduction in the rapidity of firing of the normal generator of electrical impulses in the heart (the heart's pacemaker); 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. Dosage Available tablet sizes: 100 mg, 200 mg Because of Cordarone’s life-threatening side effects and the dangers of its misuse, Cordarone should never be taken without a doctor’s careful consultation and consent. The usual initial treatment (“loading dose”) is from 800 to 1600 mg daily for 1 to 3 weeks, until a therapeutic response is achieved. After this, dosage should be reduced to 600 to 800 mg daily for one month, and then to a 400 mg maintenance dose. Cordarone can be administered as a single daily dose, or divided twice daily in cases of gastrointestinal upset. The exact amount of Cordarone taken should be determined by a doctor in response to your cardiac response. This medication works best when there is a constant level of the drug in your body. To do this, take each dose exactly as prescribed at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night. Try to take each dose at the same time each day. Do not stop taking this medication or change the dose without first consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped or when more drug is taken than prescribed. Consult a doctor before taking Cordarone if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you are allergic to any of its ingredients, or if you have or have a history of severe sinus node dysfunction resulting in marked sinus bradycardia, second or third degree atrioventricular block, bradycardia with associated syncope (except when a pacemaker is used), liver disease, heart problems, low blood pressure, lung disease, thyroid problems, or electrolyte deficiency. Amiodarone should be used under close medical supervision. A response may not be seen until up to 3 weeks after the medication is started. Amiodarone stays in your body for weeks or months, even after you are no longer taking it. Tell your doctor you are taking Cordarone if you have major surgery scheduled. Drug Interactions Consult a doctor before taking Cordarone if you are taking agalsidase beta, dofetilide, HIV medications (nelfinavir, ritonavir), quinipristin, dalfopristin, other antiarrhythmics or heart medications, blood thinners, cimetidine, cyclosporine, digoxin, fentanyl, methotrexate, phenytoin, rifampin, statins, St. John’s wort, or grapefruit juice. Adverse/Side Effects Constipation, loss of appetite, bitter taste in mouth, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping, headache, flushing of the face, or decreased sexual interest may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: coldness, sweating, unexplained weight change, enlarged thyroid gland, nervousness, uncontrolled shaking/tremor, sluggishness, loss of coordination, tingling or numbness of the hands or feet, swelling of the hands or feet, irregular pulse, vision changes (e.g., seeing halos, blurred vision, loss of vision), easy bruising/bleeding, persistent sore throat. This drug may cause skin reactions similar to a serious sunburn. Infrequently with long-term amiodarone treatment, you may develop blue-gray discoloring of the skin, particularly of the face and hands. This effect is not harmful and usually reverses, sometimes incompletely, after the drug is stopped. Avoiding prolonged sun exposure may help to prevent this effect. Severe (sometimes fatal) lung or liver problems have infrequently occurred in patients using this drug. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of these serious side effects: cough, fever, chills, chest pain, difficult or painful breathing, severe stomach pain, fatigue, yellowing eyes or skin, or dark urine. Due to the lingering amount of this drug in your body, heartbeat problems may occur even months after you have stopped using it. Tell your doctor immediately if your heart continues to pound, skips a beat, is beating very fast or very slow, or you feel lightheaded or faint. This drug may cause serious vision changes such as seeing halos and blurred vision. Very rarely, cases of permanent blindness have been reported. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any vision changes. Overdose Symptoms of overdose include weakness, severe dizziness, unusually slow heartbeat, or fainting. If you suspect overdose, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Storage Instructions Store at room temperature, away from moisture and light, and out of reach of children and pets. |
