General information

Cordarone belongs to the family of medications known as antiarrhythmics. It works by changing how electrical impulses affect the heart muscle and by making the heart beat more regularly. This medication is used to treat certain types of irregular heartbeat such as persistent ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia. It is used to restore normal heart rhythm and maintain a regular, steady heartbeat.

Directions

Take Cordarone exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Take this medication by mouth, usually once or twice daily. You may take this medication with or without food. Take this medicine with a full glass of water. The recommended starting dose for adults ranges usually from 800 mg to 1,600 mg per day for the first 1-3 weeks in divided doses. The dosage is ultimately reduced to 200 mg to 400 mg once daily.

Precautions

Before taking Cordarone you should talk with your doctor if you have asthma or another lung disorder, liver disease, vision problems, high or low blood pressure, thyroid disorder, electrolyte imbalance, or if you have a pacemaker or defibrillator implanted in your chest. This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive or perform tasks that require alertness. Limit alcoholic beverages. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medication. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps.

Contraindications

Do not use Cordarone if you are allergic to amiodarone, iodine, or any ingredients of this medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a very low heart rate, certain lung problems, hepatitis, second or third degree AV block, thyroid disease.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have nausea, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite, shaking, tiredness, ankle or leg swelling, increased shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, irregular heartbeat, swelling of the face, tongue, throat, rash, weight loss, thinning hair, blurred vision, vision loss, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), dark urine, weakness, lack of coordination, sleep problems (insomnia), stomach pain, low fever, numbness, irregular menstrual periods. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: seizure medications (phenytoin, felbamate, carbamazepine), heart or blood pressure medications (metoprolol, bumetanide, triamterene), heart rhythm medications (quinidine, disopyramide, amiodarone), cholesterol-lowering medicines (fluvastatin, cerivastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin), beta-blockers (propranolol, bisoprolol, metoprolol, atenolol), antifungal medications (voriconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole), antibiotics (clarithromycin, telithromycin, erythromycin), HIV/AIDS medicines (ritonavir, indinavir, atazanavir, delavirdine), narcotic pain medications (morphine, codeine), insulin, diuretics (furosemide, torsemide, bumetanide), blood thinners (warfarin), antidepressants (doxepin, nortriptyline, amitriptyline, imipramine), digoxin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (naproxen, ibuprofen, etodolac, indomethacin, diclofenac). Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are severe dizziness, very slow heartbeat, weakness, fainting.

Storage

Store the medicine at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.