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Patient Information for Generic Cordarone
Amiodarone (a-MEE-oh-da-rone)
Generic Cordarone treats life-threatening heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias) in patients who have already taken other antiarrhythmic medicines.
Brand Name(s):Pacerone, Cordarone There may be other brand names for this medicine.
When Generic Cordarone Should Not Be Used: You should not use Generic Cordarone if you have had an allergic reaction to amiodarone or iodine, or if you are pregnant. You should not use Generic Cordarone if you have certain heart problems such as heart block or severe sinus-node dysfunction. Do not use Generic Cordarone if you have had fainting spells caused by very slow heartbeat. How to Use Generic Cordarone:(Tablet) Your doctor will tell you how much Generic Cordarone to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more Generic Cordarone or use it more often than your doctor tells you to. You will receive your first dose of Generic Cordarone in a hospital. Your caregivers will watch you closely after you take Generic Cordarone to make sure you do not have any serious side effects. Generic Cordarone should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one. Your doctor might ask you to sign some forms to show that you understand this information. It may take one or two weeks before your body responds to Generic Cordarone. Take Generic Cordarone exactly as your doctor ordered, even if you feel fine. You may take Generic Cordarone with or without food, but take it the same way each time. You may need to carry identification showing that you are taking Generic Cordarone. Ask your doctor about this. If a dose is missed: If you miss a dose or forget to use your Generic Cordarone, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use Generic Cordarone and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra Generic Cordarone to make up for a missed dose.
Storage and Disposal of Generic Cordarone: Store Generic Cordarone in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover Generic Cordarone after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old Generic Cordarone after the expiration date has passed. Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone. Drugs and Foods to Avoid: Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Make sure your doctor knows if you are using medicine to treat HIV or AIDS (such as indinavir, Crixivan®), medicine for allergy symptoms (such as loratadine, Claritin®, Alavert®), stomach medicine (such as cimetidine, Tagamet®), medicine to treat depression (such as trazodone, Desyrel®), or medicine that weakens your immune system (such as cyclosporine, methotrexate, Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®, Folex®, Rheumatrex®). Tell your doctor if you are also using digoxin (Lanoxin®, Digitek®), lidocaine (Xylocaine®), other medicine for rhythm problems (such as quinidine, disopyramide, procainamide, flecainide, Cardioquin®, Quinaglute®, Norpace®, Procanbid®), medicine to lower cholesterol (such as simvastatin, cholestyramine, Zocor®, Questran®), blood pressure medicine (such as propranolol, verapamil, diltiazem, Inderal®, Isoptin®, Cardizem®), or blood thinner (such as warfarin, fluindione, clopidogrel, Coumadin®, Plavix®). Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using St. John's wort, medicine to treat an infection (such as rifampin, erythromycin, clotrimazole, ketoconazole, Rimactane®, Rifadin®, Ciloxan®, Cipro®, Levaquin®, Tequin®, Biaxin®, Ery-tab®, Zithromax®, Nizoral®), narcotic pain medicine (such as fentanyl, Sublimaze®), seizure medicine (such as phenytoin, Dilantin®), or cough medicine (such as dextromethorphan, Benylin®). Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using Generic Cordarone. Warnings While Using Generic Cordarone: Using Generic Cordarone while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using Generic Cordarone, tell your doctor right away. Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have heart disease (such as congestive heart failure), breathing problems or lung disease, liver disease, high or low blood pressure, thyroid disorder, or low potassium or magnesium in your blood. Do not stop using Generic Cordarone suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely. Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using Generic Cordarone. You may need to stop using Generic Cordarone several days before having surgery or medical tests. Generic Cordarone may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds. After taking Generic Cordarone for several months, your skin may look blue-gray in color, especially on areas exposed to sunlight. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using Generic Cordarone. Be sure to keep all appointments. You may also need to have regular blood tests or eye examinations while you are using Generic Cordarone. Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using Generic Cordarone. Generic Cordarone may affect the results of certain medical tests.Possible Side Effects While Using Generic Cordarone: Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects: Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing; blistering, peeling, red skin rash; blurred vision, seeing halos, feeling that your eyes are more sensitive to light; continued or worsened irregular heartbeat; cough with blood or chest pain; dark-colored urine or pale stools; fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat; lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting; nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in your upper stomach; numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet; severe headache, pain behind your eyes, or problems with balance, walking, or speech; shallow or labored breathing; shortness of breath, cold sweat, and bluish-colored skin; swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet; twitching or muscle movements you cannot control (often in your eyes, jaw, neck or upper body); unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness; yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes. If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor: Dry eyes; loss of interest in sex; mild nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation, or loss of appetite; trouble sleeping; warmth or redness in your face, neck, or chest.
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by Generic Cordarone, tell your doctor.
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