Amiodarone (injection)

What is Amiodarone injection?

Amiodarone can be utilised to aid in keeping the heart pumping normally in people who suffer from serious heart rhythm problems that threaten ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart that let blood escape from the heart). Amiodarone can be used to treat or stop ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.Amiodarone injections are used only in life-threatening circumstances.Amiodarone can also be employed for other purposes that are not covered in this guideline for medication.

Side effects of Amiodarone

Contact a medical professional immediately. If you are experiencing symptoms that indicate an allergy, such as hives and swelling of your lips, face, tongue, throat, or face,Amiodarone takes a lengthy period of time to completely cleanse your body. It is possible to experience adverse effects from amiodarone even after the medication is stopped. It may take many months for the medication to completely eliminate itself from your body.Contact your physician immediately. If you experience any of the following side effects, regardless of whether they happen for a few months after you have stopped taking amiodarone

• A new or worsening abnormal rhythm pattern;
• Speedy, slow, or beating heartbeats
• A lightheaded sensation, similar to when you're about to pass out.
• Wheezing, coughing, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and coughing up blood;
• Breathlessness (even at moderate exertion), swelling, and rapid weight gain.
• Blurred vision, loss of sight, headache or eye pain, and sometimes nausea;
• Redness, swelling, pain, or irritations around the iv needle
• Weight loss and hair loss. Sensations of being too hot or cold; more sweating; irregular menstrual cycles; the neck is swelling (goitre);
• Discomfort in your stomach. Nausea, vomiting, black stools, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of your eyes or skin),
• Very little or no urine.

Common adverse effects of amiodarone could include:

• Fever; low-high fever;
• Slight dizziness;
• Mild nausea and vomiting.

It isn't a complete listing of all possible adverse impacts, as other things might occur.. Consult your physician for advice regarding medical adverse effects. You can report any symptoms to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Similar/related drugs

Diltiazem, amiodarone, lidocaine, bisoprolol, verapamil, flecainide, and phenylephrine

Warnings

Amiodarone injections are only for life-threatening circumstances. The injection will be administered in a hospital environment.This medicine is for you if you're allergic to amodarone or iodine, suffer from a serious heart disease like "AV block" (unless you are a pacemaker), have a history of slow heartbeats, or your heart can't efficiently pump blood.

Prior to use this drug

This medication is recommended if you have an allergy to iodine or amiodarone or if you suffer from

• Certain heart problems that are serious, in particular "AV block" (unless you are a patient of the pacemaker);
• A history of irregular heart beats that can cause you to faint
• If your heart can't pump blood effectively,

If you can, before receiving an injection of amiodarone, inform your doctor that you suffer from:

• Breathing problems or lung disorders;
• Liver disease;
• Vision issues;
• Blood pressure, or high blood pressure,
• An thyroid disorder;
• The imbalance of electrolytes (such as chronic low levels of magnesium or potassium in your blood);
• If you've recently fallen sick with diarrhoea or vomiting,
• If your heart rhythm problem is getting worse
• If you are a patient with an implanted defibrillator or pacemaker within your chest,

In a situation of emergency, it might not be possible to inform your healthcare providers about your medical conditions. It is important that the doctor who cares for you following the incident knows the medicine you received.Amiodarone could cause harm to a baby who is not yet born. Tell your doctor when you're pregnant.It is not recommended to breastfeed while taking this medication.In a situation of emergency, it may not be feasible until you receive the injection of amiodarone to inform your medical professionals that you are breastfeeding or pregnant. It is important that the doctor caring for the baby or your pregnant mother is aware that you've taken this medication.

How to take Amiodarone?

Amiodarone is administered as an injection into the vein. Amiodarone injections are usually given directly into a vein located in the chest's upper region (central IV line). The injection will be administered in a hospital or clinic environment where your heart can be monitored if the medication causes serious adverse side effects.Your blood needs to be analysed frequently, and you might require examinations of your eyes and chest x-rays.If you are in need of surgical treatment (including the laser procedure for eye surgeries), inform the surgeon in advance that you've had an injection of amiodarone.Amiodarone can alter the results of certain tests. Inform any doctor treating you about your use of the drug amiodarone.Following treatment with an amiodarone injection Your doctor might change your treatment to an oral formulation of amiodarone, which you consume in your mouth. Make sure you read the instructions or medication guides for taking oral amiodarone.

What happens if I miss the dose?

Since you'll be receiving amodarone injections in a medical environment, you're less likely to skip the dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Because amiodarone is administered by a medical expert in a medical setting, an overdose is not likely to occur.

What should be avoided?

Do not get up too quickly from lying or sitting in a position where you could be shaky. Start slowly and steadily to avoid falling.Grapefruit as well as wine can react with amiodarone, leading to undesirable negative side effects. Beware of using grapefruit juice while taking amiodarone.Do not expose yourself to sunlight or tanning bed. Amiodarone may cause skin to burn more quickly. Protect yourself with protective clothes and apply sunblock (SPF 30 or greater) while you're outdoors.

Interaction with other drugs

Inform your doctor about your current medications. A variety of drugs can affect amiodarone, particularly:

• An antibiotic—azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, pentamidine, rifampin, and others;
• An antidepressant--amitriptyline, citalopram, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline, trazodone, and others;
• A blood thinner—warfarin, coumadin, jantoven;
• Cancer medications;
• Diuretic, also known as a "water pill";
• "statin" cholesterol medicine—atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, lipitor, zocor, vytorin, and others;
• Heart or blood pressure medication--atenolol, carvedilol, clonidine, digoxin, disopyramide, dofetilide, flecainide, ivabradine, metoprolol, nebivolol, procainamide, propranolol, quinidine, sotalol, verapamil, and many others;
• Hepatitis c medication: ledipasvir, simeprevir, sofosbuvir, harvoni, olysio, and sovaldi;
• Hiv or aids medication--indinavir, nelfinavir, rilpivirine, ritonavir, saquinavir;
• Medicine to treat mental illness--chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, haloperidol, lithium, pimozide, promethazine, thioridazine, ziprasidone, and others.

This list isn't complete, and a variety of other medications could interfere with the effects of amiodarone. It includes over-the-counter and prescription medicines, vitamins and natural products.There are many possible interactions between drugs that are listed here.Amiodarone requires a lengthy time to completely eliminate from your body. Drug interactions can occur for as long as several months following the discontinuation of the amiodarone injection. Talk to your physician before using any medications during this period. Be aware of how long it has been since the last time you took amiodarone.