What is the medicine Cordarone used for?

What is the medicine Cordarone used for?

Amiodarone (Cordarone) is used to treat and prevent an irregular heartbeat. It slows down nerve activity in the heart and relaxes an overactive heart.

When should I take Cordarone?

It is usually taken once or twice a day. You may take amiodarone either with or without food, but be sure to take it the same way each time. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.

When should you not give Cordarone?

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.

What is amiodarone indication?

Finally, amiodarone is indicated for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias, specifically monomorphic VT, non-Torsades polymorphic VT (secondary to myocardial ischemia and not associated with prolonged QTc), as well as for pulseless ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless VT that fail to convert after CPR.

How quickly does Cordarone work?

The effects of this medication may be noted as early as 3 days after starting treatment, but it is usually 1 to 3 weeks before beneficial effects are seen.

How long can you take Cordarone?

This meta-analysis shows that use of amiodarone, as part of a strategy to achieve sinus rhythm, in the treatment of persistent AF (>30 days’ duration) appears to be safe and effective. However, this strategy was associated with a significant incidence of withdrawal of treatment because of adverse effects.

Who should not take amiodarone?

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to amiodarone or iodine, or 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.

What is the best medicine for irregular heartbeat?

Other types of heart drugs can be used to treat arrhythmias, too:

• Beta-blockers such as metoprolol or Toprol XL lessens the heart’s workload and heart rate.
• Calcium channel blockers such as verapamil or Calan also lower the heart rate.

What’s the best medicine for irregular heartbeat?

The most common medications in this class are:

• amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone)
• flecainide (Tambocor)
• ibutilide (Corvert), which can only be given through IV.
• lidocaine (Xylocaine), which can only be given through IV.
• procainamide (Procan, Procanbid)
• propafenone (Rythmol)
• quinidine (many brand names)
• tocainide (Tonocarid)

What is the action of Cordarone?

It is used to restore normal heart rhythm and maintain a regular, steady heartbeat. Amiodarone is known as an anti-arrhythmic drug. It works by blocking certain electrical signals in the heart that can cause an irregular heartbeat.

What are the long term side effects of amiodarone?

While long-term contemporary use of amiodarone has generally been at lower doses (200 to 300 mg/day) than were historically used, even low doses may be associated with significant adverse effects, particularly pulmonary, thyroid, cardiac, skin, and ocular toxicities.

Is Pacerone the same thing as amiodarone?

If you have a potentially dangerous irregular heart rhythm called Irregular heartbeat Any change from the normal sequence of heart’s impulses causing the heart to beat too fast, too slow, or erratically. , a healthcare provider may prescribe Pacerone® (Amiodarone This medication is used to treat certain types of serious irregular heartbeat. It is used to restore normal heart rhythm and maintain a regular, steady heartbeat. ). Amiodarone is not quite the same thing as Pacerone. It is the active ingredient in it.

What should I avoid while taking amiodarone?

Amiodarone may be taken with or without food but should be taken at the same way each time. You should avoid consuming grapefruits and grapefruit juice while taking amiodarone. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.

Which are the safer alternatives to amiodarone?

Dronedarone has been viewed as a potential therapeutic alternative for amiodarone because of a lower risk for pulmonary, thyroid, and dermatologic adverse effects. Compared with amiodarone, dronedarone has poor bioavailability and a shorter terminal disposition half-life, which dictates a twice-daily dosing regimen.

What happens if you stop taking amiodarone?

In rare cases, patients who have taken amiodarone for long periods of time and in higher doses may begin to see yellowish halos due to a build-up of small bodies of fat on the eye, known as corneal microdeposits. This side effect reportedly goes away roughly seven months after stopping amiodarone.