Cardarone is used in treatment of irregular heartbeat and to maintain a normal heart rate (ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia).

Common use

The medication causes antiarrhythmic and antianginal effects. Antiarrhythmic effect is stipulated by diminishing of K+ ions transportation though cell membranes of myocites and diminishing of sinus node automaticity. Cardarone automatically blocks a- and b-adrenoreceptors. Relief of paroxysmal tachycardia attacks, relief of other heart attacks and treatment of ventricular fibrillation. Cardarone is for use only in life-threatening situations and should be used strictly according to recommendations of your doctor.



Dosage and direction

Cardarone may hurt stomach so it is recommended to take it with meals and in several daily doses to minimize damage.



Precautions

Avoid drinking grapefruit juice, tanning and excessive UV irradiation, be careful doing work which requires high concentration of attention (driving and others).



Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to iodium or Cardarone. Sick sinus syndrome (sinus bradycardia, sinoatrial block) excluding cases of rythm correction with artificial pacemake. Disorders of atrioventricular or intra ventricular conduction (atrioventricular blocade of I-III degree), blocade of bundle Branch Block, disorders of thyroid gland, hypopotassiemia, pregnancy, breast-feeding, age below 18 years old, simultaneous treatment with MAO inhibitors.



Possible side effect

Lipofuscin deposit in cornea may cause appearance of shining spots or a 'fog' in front of eyes at bright light. Light pygmentation on open areas of skin, hypothyreosis, wheezing, cough, chest pain, trouble breathing, weight loss, thinning hair, feeling too hot or too cold, numbness, burning, pain, nausea, stomach pain. Call your doctor if you experience this or symptoms of allergy.



Drug interaction

Cardarone may interact with beta-blockers or certain calcium channel blockers leading to excessively slow heart rate or electrical impulse blockage in the heart. Blood levels of digoxin are increased at concurrent treatment with digoxin and Amiodarone. In case of treatment with digoxin its dose should be decreased by 50% when amiodarone is taken. Cardarone also increases levels of flecainide, procainamide and quinidine.



Missed dose

If you missed a dose take it as soon as you remember, but not if it is almost time of the next intake by your schedule. If it occurred skip the missed dose. Do not try to compensate a missed dose by taking an extra one.



Overdose

If you suspect that you took too much of the medication and experience extremely dizzy or light-headed, or fainting seek for immediate medical attention.



Storage

Keep Cordarone at room temperature, lower than 30 C (86 F).



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Апу specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.