Amiodarone (Cordarone X): reminder of risks of treatment and need for patient monitoring and supervision
March 2022 - Amiodarone is used to treat certain types of abnormal heart rhythm, including atrial fibrillation and tachyarrhythmias (heart beats unevenly or too fast). Treatment should be initiated under hospital or specialist supervision and in accordance with clinical guidance.
Amiodarone is associated with serious adverse effects in several organ systems including the eyes, gastrointestinal tract, nerves, skin, thyroid, lungs, heart, and liver. Amiodarone has a long plasma half-life of around 50 days, meaning that any adverse effects may persist for a month (or more) after treatment has stopped. Patients must be monitored closely during treatment
Advice for patients and carers:
Always read the patient information leaflet provided with your medicines and follow the advice on other medicines to avoid and what to do if you have a side effect.
Your doctor may perform tests of your blood, lungs, heartbeat, and eyes before and during treatment – it’s important to have these tests because they can identify if there’s a problem. During treatment blood tests are advised every 6 months.
Stop taking amiodarone and see a doctor or go to a hospital straight away if you experience any of the following during treatment or in the period after stopping amiodarone:
- New or worsening shortness of breath or coughing that will not go away
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), feeling tired or sick, loss of appetite, stomach pain, or high temperature
- Weakness, weight loss or weight gain, heat or cold intolerance, hair thinning, sweating, changes in menstrual periods, swelling of the neck (goitre), nervousness, irritability, restlessness, or decreased concentration
- Your heartbeat becomes even more uneven or erratic, or becomes very slow
- Any loss of eyesight