Amiodarone (Injection)

Introduction:

Amiodarone (a-mi-OH-da-rone)

Treats life-threatening heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias) in patients who can not take the tablet form of this medicine.

Brand Name(s):

Amiodarone Hydrochloride Novaplus, Novaplus Amiodarone Hydrochloride, NovaPlus Amiodarone Hydrochloride

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to amiodarone or iodine, or if you are pregnant. You should not use this medicine if you have certain heart problems such as heart block or slow heartbeat.

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

  • Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.
  • A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are using medicine to treat HIV or AIDS (such as indinavir, Crixivan®), medicine for allergy symptoms (such as loratadine, Claritin®, Alavert®), stomach medicine (such as cimetidine, Tagamet®), medicine to treat depression (such as trazodone, Desyrel®), or medicine that weakens your immune system (such as cyclosporine, methotrexate, Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®, Folex®, Rheumatrex®).
  • Tell your doctor if you are also using digoxin (Lanoxin®, Digitek®), lidocaine (Xylocaine®), other medicine for rhythm problems (such as quinidine, disopyramide, procainamide, flecainide, Cardioquin®, Quinaglute®, Norpace®, Procanbid®), medicine to lower cholesterol (such as simvastatin, cholestyramine, Zocor®, Questran®), blood pressure medicine (such as propranolol, verapamil, diltiazem, Inderal®, Isoptin®, Cardizem®), or blood thinner (such as warfarin, clopidogrel, Coumadin®, Plavix®).
  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using St. John's wort, medicine to treat an infection (such as rifampin, erythromycin, clotrimazole, ketoconazole, Rimactane®, Rifadin®, Ciloxan®, Cipro®, Levaquin®, Tequin®, Biaxin®, Ery-tab®, Zithromax®, Nizoral®), narcotic pain medicine (such as fentanyl, Sublimaze®), seizure medicine (such as phenytoin, Dilantin®), or cough medicine (such as dextromethorphan, Benylin®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

  • Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have lung disease, kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, low blood pressure, thyroid disorder, diarrhea, or low potassium or magnesium in your blood.
  • You may need to have regular blood tests or eye examinations while you are using this medicine. Make sure to tell your doctor about all other symptoms that you have while using this medicine, including eye pain or any changes in vision.
  • Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery or medical tests.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
  • Blistering, peeling, red skin rash.
  • Change in how much or how often you urinate.
  • Chest pain or discomfort.
  • Confusion and other mental changes.
  • Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
  • Eye pain or changes in vision.
  • Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat.
  • Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
  • Lightheadedness or fainting.
  • Pain, swelling, redness, or rash at the site of injection.
  • Severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain.
  • Shortness of breath, cold sweat, and bluish-colored skin.
  • Trouble breathing, tightness in your chest.
  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

  • Mild nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
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