Product Details: Cordarone (Amiodarone)

PLEASE NOTE CORDARONE IS ALSO MARKETED INTERNATIONALLY UNDER THE NAME CORDARONE X.

Brand Name Options - Manufacturer: Aventis

Generic Options

What are Generics? A generic drug is a copy of the brand-name drug with the same dosage, safety, strength, quality, how it is taken, performance, and intended use. Before generics become available on the market, the generic company must prove it has the same active ingredients as the brand-name and works the same way in the body in the same amount of time.

The only differences between generics and their brand-name counterparts is the generics are less expensive and may look slightly different (e.g. different shape or color), as trademark laws prevent a generic from looking exactly like the brand-name drug.

Generics are less expensive because generic manufacturers don't have to invest large sums of money to invent a drug. When the brand-name patent expires, generic companies can manufacture a copy of the brand-name drug and sell it at substantial discounts.

Description

This medicine is an antiarrhythmic used to treat an irregular heartbeat and to maintain a normal heart rate. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Directions

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine comes with a MEDICATION GUIDE. Read it carefully each time you refill this medicine. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. DISCUSS WITH YOUR DOCTOR whether to take your dose with or without food. It is very important to take this medicine consistently with regard to food. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. AVOID EATING GRAPEFRUIT OR DRINKING GRAPEFRUIT JUICE while you are taking this medicine. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and light. Take this medicine regularly to receive the most benefit from it. Taking this medicine at the same time each day will help you to remember. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Cautions

DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product, including iodine. IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS for this medicine to work. DO NOT STOP TAKING this medicine or change your dose without checking with your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the medicine is suddenly stopped or when more medicine is taken than prescribed. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including physical exam, EKG, chest x-rays, blood tests, lung function tests, liver function tests, thyroid function tests, and eye exams may be performed to monitor your progress or check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are taking this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. This medicine may cause dizziness. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. VERY RARELY, CASES OF PERMANENT BLINDNESS have been reported with use of this medicine. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any vision changes. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to this medicine. Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period of time. Long-term therapy with this medicine may infrequently cause a blue-gray discoloring of the skin. Fair skin or excessive sun exposure may increase your risk. Risk may also be related to your total dose or length of therapy. This effect is not harmful and usually reverses, sometimes incompletely, after you stop taking this medicine. Discuss any concerns with your doctor. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes cough medicines or any medicine that contains cimetidine. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN THE ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine. FOR WOMEN: THIS MEDICINE HAS BEEN SHOWN TO CAUSE HARM to the human fetus. IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include tiredness, constipation, loss of appetite, taste or smell changes, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping, headache, flushing, stomach pain, decreased sexual interest, or changes in the amount of saliva you produce. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience tremor or uncontrolled muscle movements; loss of coordination; tingling or numbness of hands, legs, or feet; muscle weakness; burning or tingling of the skin; unusually dry eyes; swollen neck; unusual sweating; restlessness, nervousness, or anxiety; intolerance to heat or cold; unexplained weight change; hair loss; or menstrual changes. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience fever; wheezing; unexplained cough; coughing up blood; difficult or painful breathing; chest pain; severe nausea or vomiting; severe stomach pain; yellowing of the eyes or skin; dark urine; severe or persistent tiredness; swelling of the hands or feet; slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat; severe dizziness or lightheadedness; fainting; vision changes (such as seeing halos, blurred vision, light sensitivity, or loss of vision); unusual bruising or bleeding; persistent sore throat; or reddened, swollen, or blistered skin. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Active Ingredients

Amiodarone