What does it do?
Amiodarone is used to treat and prevent irregular heartbeats.
How should you take it?
Take amiodarone regularly as directed with a glass of water.
What if you forget a dose?
If it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not take two doses at the same time.
Can you take other medicines?
Several medicines can react with amiodarone, sometimes with severe results. Please talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using any over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal products or recreational drugs.
What side effects might you notice?
| Side Effects | Recommended action |
|---|---|
|
Change in heartbeat, chest pain, fainting Short of breath, persistent dry cough Symptoms of liver problems including: yellow skin or eyes, itching, dark urine, pale bowel motions, abdominal pain, easy/unusual bruising or bleeding Headache, changes in vision, pounding in one or both ears (may be intracranial hypertension) Blurred vision |
Tell your doctor immediately |
|
Tingling or numbness Loss of co-ordination/walking or handwriting problems, strange or uncontrolled movements Unexplained weight gain or loss, sensitivity to cold or heat |
Tell your doctor |
|
Nausea, vomiting, change of appetite, constipation Changes in taste or smell Tiredness or weakness, dizziness, trouble sleeping Less interest in sex Change in skin colour (blue, grey, purple), increased sensitivity to sunlight |
Tell your doctor if troublesome |
If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.
Other information:
- Tell your doctor if you have thyroid, lung, liver, eye or other heart problems, an iodine allergy, or porphyria.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
- Protect yourself from too much sunlight while being treated with amiodarone. Always cover up and apply a thick layer of broad spectrum sunscreen (at least SPF 30) when outside. Do not use sunbeds.
- Grapefruit, grapefruit juice or sour/Seville oranges may react with amiodarone. Discuss with your pharmacist.
This leaflet contains important, but not all, information about this medicine.
Prepared by the PILs Committee at Christchurch Hospital, Canterbury District Health Board, New Zealand. June 2017
For more general information about this sheet and its contents, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?
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About My Medicines
My Medicines Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) contain important, but not all, information about the medicines they describe.
For more information about the sheets, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?
My Medicines is developed by a team at the Canterbury District Health Board. Our team is made up of doctors, pharmacists, and a non-medical person to help us keep to plain language. We also discuss our information with specialist health professionals or groups when needed