Amiodar Tablets (Amiodarone)

• Composition :
  Each tablet contains 100/200 mg of amiodarone hydrochloride.
• Indications :
  In the treatment of control of ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmia where other drug cannot be used, arrhythmia associated with wolf-white syndrome.
• Pharmacodynamics :
  The antiarrhythmic effect is may be due to at least two major properties, a prolongation of the myocardial cell-action potential duration and refractory period and non-competitive antagonism of α- and β adrenoceptors.
• Dosage and administration :
  Initiate treatment with a loading doses of 800 to 1600mg/day until initial therapeutic response occurs (usually 1 to 3 weeks). Once adequate arrhythmia control is achieved, or if side effects become prominent, reduce dose to 600 to 800mg/day for one month and then to the maintenance dose, usually 400 mg/day.
• Contraindications :
  In patients with cardiogenic shock; severe sinus-node dysfunction, causing marked sinus bradycardia; second- or third-degree atrioventricular block; and when episodes of bradycardia have caused syncope, corneal refractive laser surgery and known hypersensitivity to the drug or any of its components, including iodine
• Precautions and warnings :
  Pulmonary toxicity, exacerbation of the arrhythmia, thyrotoxicosis, optic neuropathy, photosensitivity, thyroid abnormalities, and post- surgical hypotension. Post bypass causes adult respiratory distress syndrome. Chronic administration may lead to peripheral neuropathy. Pacing and defibrillation thresholds should be assessed.
• Use in pregnancy, lactation & pediatrics :
  Avoid use in pregnancy and lactation. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established
• Drug interactions :
  Concomitant administration with Cyclosporine increases its levels. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors increases risk of myopathy and Digoxin should be monitored. Avoid concomitant use of drugs that prolong the QT interval. Monitor heart rate in patients on amiodarone and concomitant drugs that slow heart rate, anticoagulant response is almost always seen in patients receiving amiodarone and can result in serious or fatal bleeding.
• Adverse reactions :
  Pulmonary toxicity, optic neuropathy, papilledema, malaise and fatigue, tremor and involuntary movements, poor coordination and gait, and peripheral neuropathy.
• Therapy Area :
  Anti-Arrhythmics