What is amiodarone injection?
Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic medication that affects the rhythm of heartbeats.
Amiodarone is used to help keep the heart beating normally in people with life-threatening heart rhythm disorders of the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart that allow blood to flow out of the heart). Amiodarone is used to treat or prevent ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.
Amiodarone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about amiodarone injection?
Amiodarone injection is for use only in life-threatening situations. This medication has the potential to cause side effects that could be fatal, and you will receive your injection in a hospital setting.
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to amiodarone or iodine, or if you have a serious heart condition such as "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker) or a history of slow heart beats.
Do not receive amiodarone if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.
In an emergency situation it may not be possible before you are treated to tell your caregivers about your health conditions or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows that you have received this medication.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your thyroid and liver function may also need to be tested, and you may need eye exams and chest x-rays. Visit your doctor regularly.
Amiodarone takes a long time to completely clear from your body. You may continue to have side effects from amiodarone after you stop using it. Drug interactions are also possible for up to several months after you stop using the medication. Talk to your doctor before taking any medication during this time. Keep track of how long it has been since your last dose of amiodarone.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using amiodarone injection?
Amiodarone injection is for use only in life-threatening situations. This medication has the potential to cause side effects that could be fatal, and you will receive your injection in a hospital setting.
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to amiodarone or iodine, or if you have:
certain serious heart conditions, especially "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker); or
a history of slow heart beats that have caused you to faint.
If possible before you receive amiodarone injection, tell your doctor if you have:
breathing problems or lung disorder;
liver disease;
vision problems;
high or low blood pressure;
a thyroid disorder;
an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood);
if you have recently been ill with vomiting or diarrhea; or
if you have a pacemaker or defibrillator implanted in your chest.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use amiodarone if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Amiodarone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while receiving this medication.
In an emergency situation, it may not be possible before you are treated with amiodarone injection to tell your caregivers if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you have received this medication.