emergency medications

2. AMIODARONE
• Used for the prevention and treatment of serious atrial and
ventricular arrhythmias

3. AMIODARONE
Mechanism of action
• Increases the refractory period in all cardiac tissues
• Decreases automaticity of fibres in the Purkinje system
• Prolongs AV conduction
• Can block potassium, sodium and calcium channels and β
receptors

4. AMIODARONE
Drug interaction
• Amiodarone increases the plasma concentration of digoxin
• Amiodarone increases the plasma concentration of flecainide
by inhibiting its metabolism
• Amiodarone can result in increased plasma concentration of
Phenytoin
• Amiodarone increase anticoagulant effect by inhibiting
metabolism of Warfarin.

5. AMIODARONE
Adverse reaction
• Dizziness
• Bitter taste
• Headache
• Flushing
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Constipation
• Ataxia
• Weight loss
• Tremor
• Parasthesiae of fingers and toes
• Photosensitivity
• Blue-grey skin discolouration
• Pulmonary fibrosis and pneumonitis
• Cough, fever
• Allergic reaction
• Blurred vision

6. AMIODARONE
• Use with caution in patients with heart failure and liver or
thyroid function impairment
• Avoid in patients with second or third degree AV block and
bradycardia

7. Reference
• Knights, K & Kathleen, B 2011, Pharmacology for health
professionals, Chapter 12, Elsevier, Chatswood,
Australia.