Amiodarone

In Aotearoa New Zealand, amiodarone is available as tablets (100 mg or 200 mg) and as an injection that's used in hospitals.

• Always take amiodarone exactly as your healthcare provider has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much to take, how often to take it, and any special instructions.
• Most people start with a higher dose and reduce the dose slowly over a few weeks.
• The usual dose of amiodarone is 100 mg or 200 mg once daily.
• Some people may need an amiodarone injection in hospital before starting amiodarone tablets.

• Timing: Swallow your tablets with a glass of water. Take your dose at the same time each day, to help you remember to take it.
• Food: You can take amiodarone with or without food, but taking it with food can help prevent nausea (feeling sick).
• Grapefruit: Grapefruit or grapefruit juice may affect how amiodarone works. If you're concerned about this, talk to your pharmacist. 
• Missed dose: If you forget to take your tablet, take it as soon as you remember. If it's nearly time for your next dose, just take the next dose at the usual time. Don't take double the dose. If you're not sure what to do, ask your healthcare provider.
• Keep taking amiodarone regularly: Treatment with amiodarone is usually long term because it prevents irregular heart beat. Don't stop taking amiodarone, even if you feel better. Talk to your healthcare provider before stopping it.

Here are some things to know when you're taking amiodarone. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.

Sun protection

Amiodarone can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. You may burn, tingle, or tan more easily, and this can last for months after stopping the medicine. Being in the sun or under UV light too often can also slowly change your skin colour, making it look blue or grey over time. Avoid sunbeds, and when you're outdoors use an SPF30+ sunscreen, wear a sunhat and clothing that protects you from the sun and wear sunglasses.

Tests and other monitoring

Amiodarone has some side effects that need regular monitoring. You will need to have blood tests to check your thyroid and liver before you start taking amiodarone and every 3 to 6 months while you're taking it. Most people also need to have a chest X-ray and ECG test once a year while taking amiodarone.

Taking other medicines

Amiodarone can interact with some medicines, herbal supplements and rongoā Māori, so check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting amiodarone and before starting any new medicines or products.

Note: Amiodarone stays in your body for a long time. This means some side effects or interactions with other medicines can happen for a while after you stop taking it. Talk to your healthcare provider for more information.

If you're driving, cycling or operating machinery

Amiodarone can make you feel drowsy, dizzy or light-headed especially when you first start taking it. Don't drive, cycle or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. See driving and medicines.

Amiodarone may sometimes affect your vision, particularly when driving at night or looking at bright lights. Let your healthcare provider know if this becomes a problem or if you experience any other changes in your eyesight.

Like all medicines amiodarone can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. If you're concerned about any symptoms talk to your healthcare provider. The following information offers some guidance but doesn't include all possible side effects.

Common side effects

Tell your healthcare provider if these side effects bother you.

• Nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting (being sick): Try taking amiodarone after a meal.
• Sensitivity to the sun: Read more about sun protection in the section above.
• Dizziness, tiredness, changes in vision: Don't drive, cycle or use tools or machines until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Changes in taste or smell.
• Problems with sleep.
• Headache.
• Signs of problems with your eyes such as a blue halo effect when looking at bright lights at night time.
• Blurry vision.

Tell your healthcare provider immediately or phone Healthline free on 0800 611 116 if these occur

• Signs of problems with your thyroid such as feeling tired, restless, changes in your weight and increased sweating
• Signs of problems with your liver such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pain in the abdomen.
• Signs of problems with your lungs such as a persistent dry cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chest pain, tiredness or fainting.
• Palpitations or symptoms of heart problems such as fluttering, pounding or pain in your chest, or feeling your heart skipping a beat.

Phone 111 for an ambulance or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) clinic if these occur

• Signs of an allergic reaction such as itchy skin, and rash, swollen lips or tongue, problems breathing, like a tight chest or shortness of breath.

Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect.