CORDARONE I.V.

Drug Name: CORDARONE I.V.

CORDARONE I.V. DESCRIPTION:
AMIODARONE - INJECTION (am-ee-OH-duh-rown)

COMMON CORDARONE I.V. BRAND NAME(S):
Cordarone

CORDARONE I.V. SIDE EFFECTS:
Constipation, loss of appetite, bitter taste in mouth, headache, nausea, vomiting, flushing of face or decreased sexual interest may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If these effects persist or worsen, inform your doctor. Report promptly if you develop: painful breathing, shortness of breath, cough, slight fever; blue-gray coloring of skin; coldness, sweating, irregular pulse, skin rash; yellowing eyes or skin; dizziness; unusual weight loss or gain; pain at the injection site, scrotal pain, uncontrolled movements, swelling; numbness or tingling in the hands or feet; sensitivity to light, vision changes. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE CORDARONE I.V.:
CORDARONE I.V.: Use CORDARONE I.V. exactly as directed. Dosage adjustments may be made by your doctor or pharmacist depending on your response and any side effects that may occur. Do not use any IV solution that has particles or discoloration. Check with your pharmacist first. The rate of administration of CORDARONE I.V. is controlled to lower the chance of side effects such as low blood pressure or dizziness.

CORDARONE I.V. WARNING:
Amiodarone should be used only after all other options have been tried and only under close medical supervision. First doses must be given in a hospital setting. A response may not be seen until 1 or 2 weeks after the medication is given. If your doctor changes your dose or stops CORDARONE I.V., you may need to be in the hospital longer. If amiodarone is stopped, it may stay in your body for weeks or months and could interfere with other treatment. Severe, even fatal, lung or liver problems have occurred in patients using CORDARONE I.V.. Immediately contact your doctor if you experience any of these serious side effects: cough, fever, chills, chest pain, difficult or painful breathing, nausea, dark urine, muscle pain, stomach pain, yellowing eyes/skin, unusually slow or irregular pulse, or blue-gray skin color. Like other medications used to treat irregular heartbeats, this medication can make an irregular heartbeat worse. Heartbeat problems may occur even months after CORDARONE I.V. has been stopped.

CORDARONE I.V. USES:
CORDARONE I.V. is used to treat irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and maintain a normal heart rate.

CORDARONE I.V. PRECAUTIONS:
Tell your doctor your complete medical history, especially: liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, lung disease, thyroid problems, any allergies (especially any drug allergies). CORDARONE I.V. may make you more prone to sunburn. Wear protective clothing and a sunscreen. CORDARONE I.V. is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using CORDARONE I.V.. Amiodarone is excreted into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding because taking CORDARONE I.V. while breast-feeding is not recommended.

CORDARONE I.V. DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Inform your doctor about all the medicines you use (both prescription and nonprescription) especially: other medicine to treat irregular heartbeats (antiarrhythmics), "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol), digoxin, phenytoin, theophylline. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

CORDARONE I.V. OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include weakness, dizziness, unusually slow heartbeat, nausea, dark urine, fever, yellowing eyes or skin, stomach pain, or fainting.

CORDARONE I.V. NOTES:
Your doctor may want you to check your pulse rate every day while you use CORDARONE I.V.. Learn how to monitor your pulse. Eye exams are required with CORDARONE I.V.. To evaluate the effectiveness of CORDARONE I.V., your doctor may periodically take a blood sample to measure the amount of the drug in your body. Chest x-ray or an electrocardiogram (EKG) may also be done. Keep all appointments with your doctor.

MISSED CORDARONE I.V. DOSE:
If you miss a dose, do not use the missed dose at all and do not "double-up" the next dose. Instead, resume your usual dosing schedule. If 2 or more doses in a row are missed, contact your doctor.

CORDARONE I.V. STORAGE:
Store at room temperature away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom. Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information on enrollment call Medic Alert(TM) at 1-800-854-1166. In Canada call 1-800-668-1507.