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Amiodarone is used to treat certain types of ventricular arrhythmias, which are serious heart rhythm problems. This prescription medication is available as a tablet and an injection. Your dosage will depend on which form of the medicine you are using, other medications you are taking, and various other factors. Possible side effects include fatigue, nausea, and vomiting.
What Is Amiodarone?
Amiodarone (Cordarone®, Pacerone®, Nexterone®) is a prescription medication approved to treat certain types of serious, irregular heartbeats known as ventricular arrhythmias. It belongs to a group of medicines known as antiarrhythmics.Amiodarone hydrochloride is the active ingredient in Cordarone and Pacerone, two brand-name medications that are taken by mouth.
Amiodarone also comes in an injectable form. Amiodarone injection is available as a generic medicine that must be mixed with 5% dextrose in water (D5W), or as amiodarone premixed injection (Nexterone). The premixed injection does not need to be mixed before use. Amiodarone injections are given as a slow drip into a vein (an intravenous, or IV, infusion).
(Click What Is Amiodarone Used For? for more information on this topic, including possible off-label uses.)
Are There Side Effects?
Just like any medicine, amiodarone can cause side effects. In fact, side effects are relatively common with this medication. However, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are treated easily by you or your healthcare provider. Serious reactions are less common.Common side effects seen with amiodarone include but are not limited to:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- General feelings of illness.
(Click Amiodarone Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)