Amiodarone can cause dangerous side effects on your heart, liver, lungs, or vision.
You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to amiodarone or iodine, or if you have heart block, a history of slow heartbeats that have caused you to faint, or if your heart cannot pump blood properly.
Call your doctor or get medical help at once if you have: chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats, trouble breathing, vision problems, upper stomach pain, vomiting, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), or if you cough up blood.
Tell your doctor if you have signs of a thyroid problem, such as weight changes, extreme tiredness, dry skin, thinning hair, feeling too hot or too cold, irregular menstrual periods, or swelling in your neck (goiter).
Before taking this medicine
You should not use amiodarone if you have:
a serious heart condition called "AV block" (2nd or 3rd degree), unless you have a pacemaker;
a history of slow heartbeats that have caused you to faint; or
if your heart cannot pump blood properly.
Amiodarone can cause dangerous side effects on your heart, liver, lungs, or thyroid.
To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
asthma or another lung disorder;
liver disease;
a thyroid disorder;
vision problems;
high or low blood pressure;
an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood); or
if you have a pacemaker or defibrillator implanted in your chest.
Taking amiodarone during pregnancy may harm an unborn baby, or cause thyroid problems or abnormal heartbeats in the baby after it is born. Amiodarone may also affect the child's growth or development (speech, movement, academic skills) later in life. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant.
You should not breast-feed while taking this medicine, and for several months after stopping. Amiodarone takes a long time to clear from your body. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby during this time.
How should I take amiodarone?
Take amiodarone exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.
You will receive your first few doses in a hospital setting, where your heart rhythm can be monitored.
If you have been taking another heart rhythm medicine, you may need to gradually stop taking it when you start using amiodarone. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.
You may take the tablets with or without food, but take it the same way each time.
It may take up to 3 weeks before your heart rhythm improves. Keep using the medicine as directed even if you feel well.
Amiodarone can have long lasting effects on your body. You may need frequent medical tests while using this medicine and for several months after your last dose.
If you need surgery (including laser eye surgery), tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using amiodarone.
This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using this medicine.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
