What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-Liver disease
-Lung disease
-Other heart problems
-Thyroid disease
-An unusual or allergic reaction to amiodarone, iodine, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-Breast-feeding
What may interact with this medication?
Do not take this medication with any of the following:
-Abarelix
-Apomorphine
-Arsenic trioxide
-Certain antibiotics, such as erythromycin, gemifloxacin, levofloxacin, or pentamidine
-Certain medications for depression, such as amoxapine or tricyclic antidepressants
-Certain medications for fungal infections, such as fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, or voriconazole
-Certain medications for irregular heartbeat, such as disopyramide, dronedarone, ibutilide, propafenone, or sotalol
-Certain medications for malaria, such as chloroquine or halofantrine
-Cisapride
-Droperidol
-Haloperidol
-Hawthorn
-Maprotiline
-Methadone
-Phenothiazines, such as chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, or thioridazine
-Pimozide
-Ranolazine
-Red yeast rice
-Vardenafil
This medication may also interact with the following:
-Antivirals for HIV
-Certain medications for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heartbeat
-Certain medications for cholesterol, such as atorvastatin, cerivastatin, lovastatin, or simvastatin
-Certain medications for hepatitis C, such as sofosbuvir and ledipasvir; sofosbuvir
-Certain medications for seizures, such as phenytoin
-Certain medications for thyroid problems
-Certain medications that prevent or treat blood clots, such as warfarin
-Cholestyramine
-Cimetidine
-Clopidogrel
-Cyclosporine
-Dextromethorphan
-Diuretics
-Dofetilide
-Fentanyl
-General anesthetics
-Grapefruit juice
-Lidocaine
-Loratadine
-Methotrexate
-Other medications that cause heart rhythm changes
-Procainamide
-Quinidine
-Rifabutin, rifampin, or rifapentine
-St. John's Wort
-Trazodone
-Ziprasidone
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Your condition will be monitored closely when you first begin therapy. This medication is often started in a hospital or other monitored health care setting. Once you are on maintenance therapy, visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Because your condition and use of this medication carry some risk, it is a good idea to carry an identification card, necklace, or bracelet with details of your condition, medications, and care team.
This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects.
This medication can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps, tanning beds, or tanning booths.
You should have regular eye exams before and during treatment. Call your care team if you have blurred vision, see halos, or your eyes become sensitive to light. Your eyes may get dry. It may be helpful to use a lubricating eye solution or artificial tears solution.
If you are going to have surgery or a procedure that requires contrast dyes, tell your care team that you are taking this medication.
What are the most serious risks of this medication?
This medicine can make your heart beat problems worse, which can lead to death.
This medicine can cause serious, life-threatening liver damage.
This medicine may cause serious, life threatening lung damage.