Amiodarone

(a MEE oh da rone)

Dosage Forms

• This medicine is available as a tablet.
• Some pharmacies may make a liquid.

Pharmacologic Category

• Antiarrhythmic Agent, Class III

What key warnings should I know about before giving this medicine to my child?

• This medicine is intended only for treatment of serious fast heartbeats. It can cause dangerous side effects. Amiodarone can cause lung, thyroid, or liver damage. Your child will be closely monitored when starting this medicine.
• This medicine does not mix well with many medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with child's healthcare provider.
• Please read the medication guide.

Is it safe for my child to take this medicine?

• Not if your child has an allergy to amiodarone, iodine, or any other part of this medicine.
• Be sure to let healthcare provider know if your child has any allergies or reactions to medicine, food preservatives, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected your child. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Not if your child has a slow heartbeat without a working pacemaker.

Why does my child need this medicine?

• This medicine is used to treat a fast heartbeat.

How does this medicine work?

• Amiodarone decreases the effects of chemicals on the heart. It slows the heart down.

How is this medicine given?

• Give this medicine with or without food. Give with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• A liquid (suspension) is available if your child cannot swallow pills. Shake well before use.
• Children who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.
• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use measuring device that comes with the medicine. If none is available, get an oral syringe, a medicine dropper, a medicine spoon, or a medicine cup (only for older children) from your pharmacist.

How long does this medicine take to work?

• It may take several weeks to see the full effect.

What do I do if my child misses a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Give a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your child's regular schedule.
• Do not give a double dose or extra doses.
• Do not change dose or stop your child's medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

What safety measures should I take while my child is using this medicine?

• Check your child's medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• Avoid giving your child other medicines and natural products that slow actions and reactions.
• Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers that your child is using this medicine.
• Avoid giving your child grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
• If your child has thyroid disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• This medicine may cause your child to be less alert. Have your child avoid tasks or activities that require alertness. These include playing (for example, riding a bicycle, rollerblading, contact sports) or using items that require concentration or coordination (for example, scissors, lawnmower, electric scooters, or toy cars). Your child's activities should be closely monitored until you see how this medicine affects him/her. School work may be more difficult for your child to focus on and complete.
• Your child can get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen; dress your child in protective clothing and encourage use of protective eyewear.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Have your child avoid tasks or activities that require alertness or clear vision until you see how this medicine affects him/her.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals and frequent mouth care may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy.
• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
• Numbness or tingling of hands or feet.
• Your child can get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen; dress your child in protective clothing and encourage use of protective eyewear.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• For the occurrence of side effects.
• Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Follow up with healthcare provider.

When should I call my child's healthcare provider?

• If any of this information causes you to be concerned, any of the common side effects occur, or if your child's symptoms do not improve after taking this medicine.
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• If your child shows signs of a life-threatening reaction, call healthcare provider or emergency department immediately. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child exhibits any other unusual behavior.
• If your child shows signs or symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.
• If your child has difficulty breathing.
• If your child has a persistent cough.
• If your child has severe belly pain.
• If your child has severe nausea or vomiting.
• If your child has significant change in thinking clearly and logically.
• If your child is not able to handle heat or cold.
• If your child is shaking.
• If your child is feeling extremely nervous and excitable.
• If your child is restless.
• If your child has significant weight loss.
• If your child has significant weight gain.
• If your child has hair loss.
• If your child has neck swelling.
• If your child is not hungry.
• If your child has dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
• If your child is feeling extremely tired or weak.
• If your child develops a rash.
• No improvement in condition or if you believe your child's condition is worse.

How should I store and/or dispose of this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from light.
• Protect tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
• Store liquid (suspension) at room temperature or in a refrigerator. Throw away any unused portion after 6 weeks if stored at room temperature or 3 months if stored in a refrigerator.

General statements

• If your child has a life-threatening allergy, he/she should wear an allergy identification bracelet at all times.
• This medicine is available by prescription only. If there are refills, contact your pharmacy. If no refills remain, you may need to contact your child's healthcare provider.
• This medicine should be thrown out when your child no longer needs it or if the medicine becomes outdated.
• Do not share your child's medicine with others and do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Many medications interact with other medications. Keep a list of all your child's medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to your child's healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with your child's healthcare provider before giving him/her any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
• Medicine can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Follow directions given by healthcare provider.

Copyright © 1978- Lexi-Comp Inc., The Children's Hospital, Denver, CO., and Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is protected under US and international copyright law. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited.

Note: Clicking these links will take you to a site outside of KidsHealth's control.