Pacerone, Amiodarone
Amiodarone (a MEE oh da rone) is a generic medication prescribed for certain heart rhythm problems in adults. Amiodarone belongs to a group of drugs called antiarrhythmics.
Amiodarone (a MEE oh da rone) is a generic medication prescribed for certain heart rhythm problems in adults. Amiodarone belongs to a group of drugs called antiarrhythmics.
- Generic
- • Tablet
- • 200mg
- • 30 Tablets
Dosage settings
Set your dosage
Make sure your dosage values are correct! In order for Optum Perks to provide the most accurate discount pricing for your prescription, take a moment to verify your dosage above.
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
- Retailer Name3.5 mi
Intro
Introduction
Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Amber Watson, PharmD
Updated on August 9, 2023
Amiodarone (a MEE oh da rone) is a generic medication prescribed for certain heart rhythm problems in adults. Amiodarone belongs to a group of drugs called antiarrhythmics.
Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved amiodarone to treat the following heart rhythm problems:
Boxed warning: Risk of lung, liver, and heart problems with oral tablet
Amiodarone oral tablet has a boxed warning about the risk of lung, liver, and heart problems. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the FDA.
For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for amiodarone” section.
Side effects
Side effects of amiodarone
Amiodarone may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of amiodarone and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.
To learn more about amiodarone’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for amiodarone listed in the “Resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with some forms of amiodarone are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of amiodarone you take.
This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about amiodarone’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for amiodarone listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Amiodarone oral tablet’s mild side effects include:
- abdominal pain
- constipation
- headache
- nausea or vomiting
- mild allergic reaction*
Amiodarone injectable liquid solution’s mild side effects include:
- diarrhea
- fever
- nausea or vomiting
- mild allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for amiodarone” section.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of amiodarone are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of amiodarone you take.
This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about amiodarone’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for amiodarone listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
In general, amiodarone’s serious side effects include:
- nerve problems, such as nerve damage or difficulty with coordination
- skin sensitivity to sunlight that can lead to severe sunburn, or skin discoloration
- low libido (sex drive)
- sleep problems, such as insomnia (trouble sleeping)
- underactive or overactive thyroid
- very low blood pressure
- very slow heart rate that can lead to heart block
- eye problems, such as optic neuritis (which may lead to vision loss)
- boxed warning: risk of lung, liver, and heart problems*
- severe allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for amiodarone” section.
Uses
Uses of amiodarone
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as amiodarone for certain conditions. Approved uses for amiodarone are described below.
Use for certain heart rhythm problems
Doctors may prescribe amiodarone oral tablet or injectable liquid solution to treat certain heart rhythm problems in adults. It can be prescribed as a short-term or long-term treatment.
Specifically, amiodarone can be used to treat the following heart rhythm problems that have returned after being treated in the past:
Doctors may not prescribe the amiodarone oral tablet or injectable liquid solution in certain situations, such as for people with a slow heart rate or serious heart problems called cardiogenic shock and heart block.
FAQs
Common questions about amiodarone
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about amiodarone.
What is amiodarone’s mechanism of action (how does it work)?
Amiodarone works by slowing the speed of electrical signals traveling through the heart, which slows your heart rate. It also decreases how hard the heart has to work.
How long it takes amiodarone to start working depends on the form you’re prescribed. The injectable liquid solution will start working within hours of being injected. The oral tablet can take 1–3 weeks to start working. You’ll need to be in the hospital when you start taking the oral tablet.
To learn more about how amiodarone works or what to expect from treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is amiodarone safe for older adults?
It’s possible. But for people in this age group, doctors usually prescribe a lower dosage of amiodarone. This is because adults ages 65 years and older may be more likely to have side effects, including serious side effects, from any drug (including amiodarone). To help reduce the risk of side effects, doctors may not prescribe the drug long term for people in this age group.
If you’re concerned about taking amiodarone based on your age or other factors, talk with your doctor.
How does amiodarone compare with metoprolol?
Amiodarone and metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, others) belong to different drug classes: amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic, and metoprolol is a beta blocker. Both drugs are available as oral tablets and as an injectable liquid solution . Metoprolol is also available in other oral forms.
Amiodarone is used to treat certain heart rhythm problems. Metoprolol is not approved for this use, but it may be prescribed to treat heart rhythm problems. (With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.)
Metoprolol is approved to treat high blood pressure, chest pain, heart attack, and heart failure.
To find out more about how these two drugs compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Interactions and warnings
Interactions and warnings for amiodarone
Below, you’ll find information about amiodarone’s possible interactions and warnings.
Interactions of amiodarone
Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.
Before you take amiodarone, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:
- prescription or over-the-counter drugs
- vitamins, herbs, or supplements
To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for amiodarone” section below.
Warnings for amiodarone
Some people should not take amiodarone, and others should take it cautiously.
Boxed warning: Risk of lung, liver, and heart problems
Amiodarone has a boxed warning about the risk of lung, liver, and heart problems. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Amiodarone can cause life threatening problems with the heart, liver, or lungs. Examples include new or worsened heart rhythm problem, liver scarring, and lung inflammation. These potentially life threatening side effects were commonly reported in studies of amiodarone oral tablet and amiodarone injectable liquid solution.
Due to these risks, amiodarone should only be prescribed if other treatments aren’t effective. In addition, amiodarone treatment should be started under supervision in the hospital.
Symptoms of lung, liver, or heart problems may include:
- chest pain
- cough
- dark urine
- dizziness or fainting
- fatigue (low energy)
- pain in the upper-right abdomen
- feeling like your heart skips a beat or adds extra beats
- shortness of breath
- spitting or coughing up blood
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes)
If you have any of these symptoms, get immediate medical care.
To learn more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Other warnings
Amiodarone could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether amiodarone is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of amiodarone you take.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for amiodarone, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Amiodarone can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to amiodarone or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe amiodarone. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.
A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
- severe skin rashes that may blister and peel
- swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
- swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems
If you have an allergic reaction to amiodarone, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Overdose of amiodarone
If you take amiodarone by mouth, you should not take more than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you think you’ve taken too much amiodarone, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding and amiodarone
Information about amiodarone and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Amiodarone and pregnancy
There are risks to taking amiodarone during pregnancy. But there are also risks with having untreated heart rhythm problems while pregnant. (Amiodarone is used to treat certain heart rhythm problems.)
If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about treatment options for heart rhythm problems during pregnancy. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether or not you should take amiodarone during pregnancy.
Amiodarone and breastfeeding
Amiodarone should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with amiodarone.
Ask your doctor
What to ask your doctor
Let your doctor know if you have questions about amiodarone or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Are there other drugs available that could treat my condition?
- Do I have a higher risk of side effects than other people?
- How should I take amiodarone oral tablet?
- Do any of my other medications interact with amiodarone?
Resources
Resources
- Amiodarone hydrochloride injection, for intravenous use. (2020). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/d889c00c-e27e-4e27-e053-2995a90ad4e1/spl-doc
- Amiodarone hydrochloride tablets, for oral use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/51a88e8e-da02-4b97-9e7e-442fbffd908d/spl-doc
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.f`da.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
New! No Prescription? No problem.
Affordable Online Care is here! Answer a few questions about your concern and receive a treatment plan in as little as 15 minutes, from a board-certified provider, 100% online.
Learn more