Amiodarone
Also sold as: Cordarone
Prescription neededChest pain and heart rhythm
Comes as:TabletInjection
Usual adult dose
Dose is set by a heart specialist. Typical: 200 mg three times a day for 1 week, then twice a day for 1 week, then 200 mg once a day or less. Regular thyroid, liver, lung and eye checks are needed.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- nausea
- sensitivity to sunlight
- grey-blue skin
- tiredness
- tremor
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- breathlessness or cough (lung damage)
- thyroid problems
- yellow eyes or skin
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Slow heartbeat or heart block (without a pacemaker)
- Thyroid disease
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Iodine allergy
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious26 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Amitriptyline
Both affect heart rhythm; the combination can cause dangerous arrhythmias.
- Artemether + Lumefantrine