Amiodarone Injections

Acute management of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias Treatment of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation unresponsive to other therapies Stabilization of arrhythmias before oral maintenance with amiodarone tablets

Amiodarone injection is given intravenously (IV) by healthcare professionals, usually as a rapid bolus followed by a controlled infusion. Cardiac and vital sign monitoring in a hospital setting is required due to potential for serious side effects.

Caution is needed: Both drugs can affect heart rhythm (QT prolongation). Co-administration increases risks of arrhythmias—only combine with close medical supervision and regular ECG monitoring.

Yes, amiodarone can rarely cause bruising due to effects on blood clotting or platelet function, especially with other anticoagulants. Report unexplained bruising or bleeding to your provider.

The most common acute side effects are hypotension (low blood pressure) and bradycardia (slow heart rate) with IV use. Chronic use may cause thyroid, lung, skin, or eye toxicity.

Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice: These increase amiodarone levels and risk for side effects or toxicity. Minimize high-iodine foods (amiodarone contains iodine and can affect thyroid). Limit alcohol and avoid excessive sun exposure (photosensitivity risk).

Yes, amiodarone can lower blood pressure (hypotension), especially when given by IV. Continuous blood pressure monitoring is required in the hospital.

Yes. Amiodarone may cause corneal microdeposits (halos, blurry vision), optic neuropathy (rare vision loss), or photosensitivity. Notify your doctor if new visual symptoms appear.

Fatigue is a possible side effect. Other symptoms may include weakness, dizziness, or general malaise.

Pravastatin and fluvastatin are generally considered safer with amiodarone, due to less interaction risk. Avoid high-dose simvastatin or lovastatin, which raise myopathy risk.

Amiodarone is not typically associated with increased blood clot risk, but arrhythmias themselves (atrial fibrillation/flutter) may require anticoagulation.

Hair thinning or loss is a rare side effect of long-term amiodarone use.

Sleep disturbances, including insomnia, vivid dreams, or fatigue can occur with amiodarone.

Contraindications include: Severe sinus node dysfunction or AV block (unless pacemaker present) Extreme bradycardia or hypotension Severe thyroid, lung, or liver disease Known hypersensitivity to amiodarone or iodine

Pulmonary fibrosis or lung toxicity (life-threatening) Severe liver injury/failure Vision loss (optic neuropathy) Thyroid dysfunction (hypo- or hyperthyroidism) Serious cardiac arrhythmias (QT prolongation, torsades de pointes) Seek immediate care for shortness of breath, chest pain, sudden vision changes, or yellowing of skin/eyes.

Avoid or use with caution: Other antiarrhythmics, certain beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers (excess bradycardia risk) Warfarin and digoxin (requires dosing adjustments) Simvastatin, lovastatin Drugs that prolong the QT interval: fluoroquinolones, macrolides, certain antipsychotics or antidepressants Always provide your doctor with a complete medication list.

Hospital-standard for emergency arrhythmia stabilization IV administration by trained professionals with cardiac and BP monitoring Proven efficacy for life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias Transition to oral amiodarone for ongoing rhythm control