Brand Name

Cordarone {Pfizer}

Generic Name

amiodarone, pronounced A mi OH da rone

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Cordarone?

Cordarone is a medication that treats ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Cordarone is an antiarrhythmic medication that helps to keep your heart beating normally.

Cordarone may also be used for reasons not stated in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Cordarone

Cordarone is typically given during life-threatening situations, and has the potential for fatal side effects. The first few doses of Cordarone that you receive will be in a hospital.

You should not use Cordarone if you are allergic to amiodarone or iodine.

Do not take Cordarone if you have certain heart conditions like “AV block,” or a history of slow heart beats.

You may experience side effects from Cordarone even after you stop taking it. Several months may need to pass before Cordarone is fully cleared from your body.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Cordarone is in FDA pregnancy category D. Cordarone may cause problems in your newborn. Consult with your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Cordarone. You should not breastfeed while taking Cordarone, as we know that Cordarone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.

Before You Take Cordarone

If you are allergic toamiodarone or iodine you should not take Cordarone.

If you have a heart condition like “AV block” or slow heartbeats you should not take Cordarone.

Tell your doctor if you have asthma, high or low blood pressure or a lung disorder before taking Cordarone.

You should let your doctor know if you have vision problems, a thyroid disorder, liver disease, or an electrolyte imbalance like low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood before taking Cordarone.

If you have you have a pacemaker or a defibrillator implanted in your chest you should talk to your doctor before beginning treatment with Cordarone.

Cordarone Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• antibiotics like erythromycin (EryPed, Ery-Tab), clarithromycin (Biaxin) or tetracycline (Brodspec or Panmycin)
• antidepressants
• antifungal medications like itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• beta-blockers like atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol (Zebeta, Ziac), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), and propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran)
• cholestyramine (Questran) and other cholesterol lowering medications
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• clopidogrel (Plavix)
• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
• decongestant cold or cough medications that contain dextromethorphan
• diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cataflam, Voltaren)
• digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps)
• diuretics (water pills)
• heart or blood pressure medications like amlodipine
• Norvasc, Caduet), carvedilol (Coreg), diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia, Dilacor, Diltia, Tiazac), metoprolol (Dutoprol, Lopressor, Toprol), nebivolol (Bystolic), nifedipine (Nifedical, Procardia) and verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan)
• heart rhythm medications like propafenone (Rythmol) and quinidine (Quin-G)
• HIV or AIDS medications
• insulin or oral diabetes medication
• loratadine (Claritin or Alavert)
• narcotic pain medication
• seizure medications
• St. John’s wort
• warfarin (Coumadin) or other blood thinners

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Cordarone. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Cordarone

You should take Cordarone exactly as directed by your doctor. It is important that you do not take Cordarone in larger or smaller amounts, or for longer or shorter than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label and follow any dose changes carefully if your doctor instructs you to change your dose.

Cordarone may be taken with or without food.

You should take Cordarone with a full glass of water.

Cordarone should be taken at the same time each day, and the same way every day.

You may need to have your blood tested on a regular basis while you are taking Cordarone, especially to check your thyroid and liver function. Be sure to keep your regular doctor appointments while you are taking Cordarone.

Take care not to consume grapefruit products while you are taking Cordarone, as it can lead to potentially dangerous side effects.

Tell your doctor if you are planning to have surgery, including laser eye surgery, while you are taking Cordarone. Your doctor will advise you of how you should take Cordarone during this time.

Cordarone can impair your thinking or reaction time, so take care to be careful when you are driving or doing anything that requires you to stay alert.

Cordarone can make you more sensitive to the effects of the sun. Wear an SPF 30 or higher when you are outdoors and take care to wear protective clothing.

Cordarone needs to be stored at room temperature, and away from light, moisture and heat. Keep your bottle tightly closed when you are not using it.

If you miss a dose of Cordarone you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it almost time for your next scheduled dose wait for your next dose. Do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose of Cordarone.

Cordarone Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Cordarone and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• allergic reactions such as breathing difficulties, hives, or swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• coughing with chest pain, wheezing and coughing up blood
• heartbeats that have a new or worsening pattern, or are fast, slow or pounding
• feeling faint
• irregular menstrual periods
• jaundice, with symptoms like yellowed eyes and skin, weakness, itching, clay colored stools, dark urine, appetite loss, nausea and stomach pain
• neck swelling
• shortness of breath, even with mild exertion
• sweating or feeling too hot or too cold
• swelling with rapid weight gain
• thinning hair
• tingling, numbness, burning or pain in your feet and hands
• unusual thoughts or behavior
• vision problems including blurred vision, vision loss, headache or pain behind your eyes that may include vomiting
• weight loss

Less serious side effects of Cordarone may include:

• appetite loss
• constipation
• dizziness
• insomnia
• lack of coordination
• nausea
• skin redness, warmth or tingling
• stomach pain
• tiredness
• vomiting
• weakness

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Cordarone. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Cordarone Description and Dosing

Cordarone is available in a tablet that is as pink, scored and contains 200 mg of amiodarone hydrochloride.

You should consult your doctor for specific dosing pertaining to you. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Cordarone you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Cordarone

Cordarone is comprised of the main ingredient amiodarone hydrochloride. The inactive ingredients present are colloidal silicon dioxide, lactose, magnesium stearate, povidone, starch and FD&C Red 40.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.