What is amiodarone (Cordarone)?
Cordarone is the brand name for the medication amiodarone. Amiodarone is used to correct and prevent an abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia).
How do I take this medication?
Amiodarone tablets are usually taken once or twice daily. Your doctor may have you start taking amiodarone more often and then slowly reduce the amount you take. Make sure you carefully read your prescription label and take the medication exactly as it says. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Never stop taking amiodarone without first talking to your doctor. It takes one to three weeks before the medication starts to work and several months before you will get the full effect. The medication will stay in your body for several months after you stop taking it.
You will need to follow-up with your doctor and may need blood tests, electrocardiograms (EKGs), chest X-rays and other tests while you are taking this medication. Do not miss these appointments — they are needed to see how well the medication is working and make sure there are no problems. Your doctor may make changes to your dosage depending on the results.
What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
Call your doctor’s office as soon as you realize you forgot to take your tablet. Never take a double dose of medication.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Side effects can happen while you are taking the medication and also after you stop taking it.
Call your doctor right away if you have:
- Cough, shortness of breath or painful breathing, swelling of the abdomen, irregular or rapid heartbeat.
Call your doctor if you have these problems, especially if they are severe:
- Tremors; lack of coordination or trouble walking; dizziness; weakness; fatigue; problems with sleep; headache; eye problems, including blurred vision, seeing halos around lights and corneal microdeposits; blue-gray discoloration of the skin (especially face and hands) and sensitivity of skin exposed to sunlight.
Common side effects are:
- Nausea, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite and abdominal pain are common side effects. Taking amiodarone with a meal can help relieve some of these problems.
Information to share with your doctor before you take amiodarone
Before you take amiodarone, tell your doctor:
- If you have a history of lung, liver, heart or thyroid disease.
- The names of all prescription and over-the-counter medications vitamins and supplements you take.
- If are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you plan to become pregnant.
If you need to have surgery, including oral surgery, tell your surgeon or dentist that you are taking amiodarone or if you have taken it within the last 2 months.
Amiodarone and sunlight
Amiodarone can make your skin more sensitive than usual to sunlight and sunlamps, which could cause a serious burn. This effect may continue for months after you stop taking amiodarone.
- Wear protective clothing, use sunscreen and make sure your head is covered when you are in the sun. It is possible to get sunburned through window glass or thin cotton.
- Sun exposure can cause your skin to turn blue-gray. This discoloration may last even after you stop taking amiodarone.
How should I store amiodarone?
- Keep this medication in its original container, with the lid tightly closed. Store it at room temperature and protect it from light.
- Keep amiodarone out of the reach of children.
- Never share your medication with anyone.
- Never take outdated medications. Some medication prescription labels list an expiration date. If there is no date on your medication label or if you are unsure how old a medication is, call your pharmacy.
- Please talk to a member of your healthcare team or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medication.
