Contains the active ingredient amiodarone (as amiodarone hydrochloride)
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
Read this leaflet carefully before taking your medicine.
This leaflet answers some common questions about amiodarone.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
The information in this leaflet was last updated on the date listed on the last page. More recent information on this medicine may be available.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist:
if there is anything you do not understand in this leaflet,
if you are worried about taking your medicine, or
to obtain the most up-to-date information.
You can also download the most up to date leaflet from www.apotex.com.au.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you using this medicine against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
Pharmaceutical companies cannot give you medical advice or an individual diagnosis.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine.
You may want to read it again.
What this medicine is used for
The name of your medicine is APO-Amiodarone tablets. It contains the active ingredient amiodarone hydrochloride.
It is used to treat tachyarrhythmia (an excessively fast heart rate with an irregular rhythm).
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you. Your doctor may have prescribed this medicine for another reason.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
How it works
Amiodarone belongs to a group of medicines called antiarrhythmics.
It works by lengthening the time between one heartbeat and the next, helping to bring the heart rate to a slower pace and more regular rhythm.
There is no evidence that this medicine is addictive.
Use in children
This medicine should not be used in children.
Before you take this medicine
When you must not take it
Do not take this medicine if:
You have or have had any of the following:
thyroid problems
certain heart problems that may cause you to faint (check with your doctor), unless your doctor advises you can use amiodarone in combination with a pacemaker.
You are taking any medicines that may cause torsades de pointes (a rare type of excessively fast heart rate), such as: disopyramide, procainamide, quinidine, mexiletine, sotalol, bepridil, vincamine, some antipsychotic medications, cisapride, erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin or intravenous pentamidine.
You are pregnant.
Amiodarone may affect your developing baby if you take it during pregnancy. Amiodarone should be avoided in the 3 months before becoming pregnant and during pregnancy.
You are breastfeeding.
Amiodarone passes into human breast milk. Do not take amiodarone if you are breastfeeding.
You are hypersensitive to, or have had an allergic reaction to, amiodarone, iodine or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include: cough, shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin; fainting; or hay fever-like symptoms.
If you think you are having an allergic reaction, do not take any more of the medicine and contact your doctor immediately or go to the Accident and Emergency department at the nearest hospital.
The expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.
The packaging is torn, shows signs of tampering or it does not look quite right.
Before you start to take it
Before you start taking this medicine, tell your doctor if:
1. You have allergies to:
any other medicines, especially other medicines used for heart problems
any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
2. You have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:
other heart conditions
blood pressure problems
liver problems
breathing or lung (respiratory) problems
family history of thyroid disorders.
3. You have a pacemaker or implantable defibrillator.
4. You are planning to have surgery or an anaesthetic.
5. You are currently receiving or are planning to receive dental treatment.
6. You are taking or are planning to take any other medicines. This includes vitamins and supplements that are available from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interact with amiodarone. These include:
fluoroquinolones, a type of antibiotic
medicines used for the heart and blood pressure such as, beta-blocking agents, calcium antagonists
digoxin, a medicine use to treat heart conditions
stimulant laxatives used to treat constipation
diuretics
medicines which reduce the activity of your immune system, such as cyclosporin, cortisone, tetracosactide or tacrolimus
intravenous amphotericin B, used for fungus infections
MAO inhibitors, a class of medicines used to treat depression
warfarin and other medicines which thin the blood
flecainide, used to treat abnormal heart rhythms
phenytoin (a medicine used to treat epileptic fits)
certain types of statins such as simvastatin, atorvastatin or lovastatin (medicines used to lower cholesterol).
fentanyl (a painkiller)
sildenafil (used for erectile dysfunction and hypertension)
triazolam (a medicine used to treat insomnia)
dihydroergotamine or ergotamine (a medicine used to treat migraine)
anaesthesia and oxygen used during surgery
midazolam, used for pain relief and in anaesthetics
lignocaine, a topical anaesthetic
colchicine, used for gout
antiviral medicines e.g. sofosbuvir, daclatasvir, simeprevir, ledipasvir.
If you are taking any of these you may need a different dose or you may need to take different medicines.
The following medicines may cause torsades de pointes (a rare type of excessively fast heart rate). Do not take these medicines at the same time as amiodarone:
digoxin
disopyramide
procainamide
quinidine
mexiletine
sotalol
bepridil
certain antipsychotics (medicines used to treat certain mental and emotional conditions)
clarithromycin, erythromycin, azithromycin and intravenous pentamidine.
Other medicines not listed above may also interact with amiodarone.
How to take this medicine
Follow all directions from your doctor carefully. They may be different from the information in this leaflet.
How much to take
Your doctor will tell you how many tablets you will need to take. This depends on your condition and whether or not you are taking any other medicines.
Your doctor may do some tests before starting you with this medicine.
The usual dose is outlined below:
Initial Dose
200 mg three times a day for one week. The dose is then reduced to 200 mg twice a day for a further week.
Maintenance Dose
The dose may then be reduced to 200 mg once a day (or less if your doctor says so).
How to take it
Swallow the tablets with a glass of water.
When to take it
Take it at about the same time each day. Taking your medicine at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take it.
How long to take it for
Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.
Make sure you have enough to last over weekends and holidays.
If you forget to take it
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take the next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking it as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the one that you missed.
This may increase the chance of you experiencing side effects.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
If you take too much (overdose)
If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, immediately telephone your doctor or go to the Accident and Emergency department at your nearest hospital.
Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.
While you are taking this medicine
Things you must do
Tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine if:
you are about to be started on any new medicine
you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant
you are breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed
you are about to have any blood tests
you are going to have surgery or an anaesthetic or are going into hospital.
Go to your doctor regularly for a check-up.
Your doctor may do tests to make sure the medicine is working and to prevent side effects. These may include:
ECG
eye tests
chest X-rays
liver function tests
thyroid tests.
Things you must not do
Do not:
Give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
Take your medicine to treat any other condition unless your doctor tells you to.
Stop taking your medicine, or change the dosage, without first checking with your doctor.
Things to be careful of
Be careful when driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Amiodarone may cause drowsiness, dizziness or blurred vision in some people, especially after the first dose.
Be careful when drinking alcohol while you are taking amiodarone. The combination may make you feel more sleepy, dizzy or light-headed and less alert than usual.
Always use a 30+ sunscreen and wear a hat when outdoors. Do not use a sunlamp. Taking amiodarone tablets may make your skin more sensitive to the sun. This can range from an increased tendency to tan to intense redness and swelling.
Possible side effects
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well while taking amiodarone or if you have any concerns.
Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects. You may not experience any of them. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious but most of the time they are not.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following:
symptoms of an overactive thyroid including increase in appetite, weight loss, restlessness, heat intolerance, increased sweating, tremors, swelling of your neck (goiter) and a rapid heart rate
symptoms of an underactive thyroid including tiredness, lethargy, muscle weakness, cramps, feeling the cold, a slow heart rate, dry and flaky skin, hair loss, a deep and husky voice and weight gain
a feeling of "pins and needles" or numbness in the hands, legs or feet
muscle weakness, uncontrolled movements or poor coordination
small cloudy spots on the eyeball
increased skin sensitivity to sunlight - always wear sunscreen while taking amiodarone
grey or bluish skin colouring on areas exposed to the sun
unusual taste sensation
tremor, insomnia or vivid dreams
constipation
loss of appetite
slow heartbeat.
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following.
These may be serious side effects and you may need medical attention:
fever, a painful, red rash that spreads quickly, which may peel or blister around the eyes, nose, mouth and genitals (rare life-threatening skin reactions)
yellowing of the skin or eyes (called jaundice, a symptom of liver changes)
clumsiness and lack of coordination, affecting balance and manner of walking, limb or eye movements and/or speech
chest pain, cough or spitting up blood
nausea or vomiting, stomach pain, unusual tiredness or passing dark-coloured urine
changes to heartbeat such as pounding heart, very rapid or very slow heartbeat
fainting or feeling faint blurring or deterioration of vision, sensitisation of eyes to light.
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some patients.
Allergic reactions
If you think you are having an allergic reaction to amiodarone, do not take any more of this medicine and tell your doctor immediately or go to the Accident and Emergency department at your nearest hospital.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include some or all of the following:
cough, shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or other parts of the body
rash, itching or hives on the skin
fainting
hay fever-like symptoms.
Storage and disposal
Storage
Keep this medicine in its original packaging until it is time to take them.
If you take the tablets out of their original packaging they may not keep well.
Keep your medicine in a cool dry place where the temperature will stay below 25°C. Protect it from light.
Do not store your medicine, or any other medicine, in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it on a windowsill or in the car on hot days. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine, or it has passed its expiry date, your pharmacist can dispose of the remaining medicine safely.
Product description
What APO-Amiodarone tablets looks like
200 mg tablets:
White, round tablets, biconvex, scored on one side.
They are available in blister packs of 30 tablets.
Ingredients
Each tablet contains 200 mg amiodarone hydrochloride as the active ingredient.
It also contains the following inactive ingredients:
maize starch
lactose
povidone
magnesium stearate
anhydrous colloidal silica.
This medicine is gluten-free, sucrose-free, tartrazine-free and free of other azo dyes.
