About amiodarone hydrochloride
Class III antiarrhythmic
Used for
- Treats serious ventricular rhythm problems, including ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation.
- May be used for selected rapid heart rhythms under specialist supervision.
Usual adult dose
Intravenous dosing varies by rhythm and setting; a common hospital regimen is 150 mg over 10 minutes, followed by infusion.
Usual dose in children
Specialist-directed intravenous dosing is weight-based; regimens vary by age and rhythm.
Common side effects
- Low blood pressure
- Slow heart rate or heart block
- Nausea
- Injection-site inflammation
Important warnings
- Given with cardiac monitoring by trained healthcare professionals.
- Can cause serious rhythm disturbances, including QT prolongation.
- Intravenous use may cause low blood pressure or liver injury.
- Use caution with thyroid, lung, liver, or heart disease.
Pregnancy
May harm the fetus, including effects on the thyroid; use only when clearly necessary.
Breastfeeding
Amiodarone enters breast milk and may affect an infant’s thyroid; breastfeeding is generally not recommended during treatment.
Interactions
- Warfarin: may increase bleeding risk.
- Digoxin: may increase digoxin levels and toxicity.
- Medicines that prolong QT: increased risk of dangerous arrhythmias.
- Some statins: increased risk of muscle injury.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.