Cordarone X intravenous

The heart's pumping action is controlled by electrical signals that pass through the heart muscle. The electrical signals cause the two pairs of heart chambers (left and right atria and ventricles) to contract in a regular manner that produces the heartbeat. If the electrical activity in the heart is disturbed for any reason, irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) of various types can result. These can seriously undermine the pumping action of the heart and result in inefficient blood circulation around the body.

Amiodarone works by slowing the electrical impulses in the heart muscle. This helps to regulate and restore disturbances in the heart rhythm.

Amiodarone is used to treat a variety of different types of fast, abnormal heart rhythms (these are known as tachyarrhythmias). It is used for severe rhythm disorders when other treatments are not effective or cannot be used.

Amiodarone is given by a drip into a vein (intravenous infusion) or by injection when a rapid response is required in an emergency. As soon as an adequate response is obtained, treatment with amiodarone tablets is started and treatment with the injection is phased out. Amiodarone injection may also be given if a person cannot take medicines by mouth.

What is it used for?

- Fast, abnormal heart rhythms (tachyarrhythmias) associated with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
- Fast, abnormal heart rhythms (tachyarrhythmias), including supraventricular, nodal and ventricular tachycardias, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter and ventricular fibrillation, when other drugs cannot be used.

Warning!

- Amiodarone injection should only be given in a special care unit where continuous monitoring including blood pressure, liver function, lung function and ECG can be performed.
- Amiodarone can cause serious adverse reactions affecting the eyes, heart, lung, liver, thyroid gland, skin and peripheral nervous system. Because these reactions may be delayed, people on long-term treatment should be carefully monitored by their doctor. See the factsheet on Cordarone X tablets for more information about these side effects.

Use with caution in

- Elderly people
- Heart failure
- Low blood pressure
- People with severe electrical conduction disturbances within the heart (high grade atrio-ventricular block, bifascicular or trifascicular block or sinus node disease). This medicine should only be used in conjunction with an artificial pacemaker in these cases.

Not to be used in

- Situations where breathing has stopped (respiratory failure)
- Failure of the heart to pump blood around the body (circulatory collapse)
- Very low blood pressure in the arteries (severe arterial hypotension)
- Slow heart rate caused by the pacemaker of the heart (sinus bradycardia)
- Failure of the electrical impulse that causes the heart to beat to leave the pacemaker of the heart, resulting in decreased heart function (sino-atrial heart block)
- Current or history of an over or under functioning thyroid gland
- Allergy to iodine
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Disease of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy) (if given as a fast injection)
- Heart failure (if given as a fast injection)
- Neonates or premature babies unless the rhythm disturbance is life threatening and other treatments are ineffective or not suitable

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

- This medicine should not be used during pregnancy unless essential, as it may be harmful to the unborn baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- This medicine passes into breast milk and women taking this medicine should therefore not breastfeed. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

- Avoid exposure of skin to direct sunlight or sun lamps.

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