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Cordarone

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Cordarone (amiodarone) is a heart drug used to treat a certain type of arrhythmia. Because of its association with pulmonary toxicity, pulmonary fibrosis and other dangerous side effects, Cordarone is considered a “last resort” that should be used after other medications have been tried.

What is Cordarone?

Cordarone is an antiarrhythmic marketed by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Pfizer, Inc. It is indicated only for the treatment of certain types of life-threatening recurrent ventricular arrhythmias that have not resonded to other medications or when alternative agents could not be tolerated.

Cordarone should not be taken by patients who:

• Are allergic to any of its ingredients, including iodine;
• Have moderate to severe heart block, or fainting or severe dizziness or light-headedness due to slow heartbeat (unless they have a pacemaker);
• Have a very slow heartbeat;
• Have experienced shock due to serious heart problems.

Cordarone Side Effects

Common side effects associated with Cordarone include:

• Abnormal taste or smell
• Constipation
• Decreased sexual interest
• Dizziness
• Dry eyes
• Flushing of the face
• General body discomfort
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Tiredness
• Trouble sleeping; vomiting

The following severe side effects require medical attention:

• Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing or swallowing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, throat, or tongue; unusual hoarseness)
• Blue-gray discoloring of the skin, especially in the hands or feet
• Burning, numbness, or tingling
• Chest, jaw, or arm pain
• Confusion
• Cough or coughing up blood
• Decreased coordination
• Decreased urination
• Eye discomfort
• Fainting
• Fast or slow heartbeat
• Fever, chills, or persistent sore throat
• Involuntary muscle movements
• Joint pain; muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness)
• Nervousness
• New or worsening irregular heartbeat
• Severe or persistent dizziness; shortness of breath
• Sunburn-like skin reaction
• Sluggishness
• Sudden, severe nausea or vomiting
• Swelling of the hands, ankles, legs, or feet
• Liver problems ( dark urine, loss of appetite, pale stools, persistent loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellowing of the eyes or skin)
• Thyroid problems (eg, feeling of being unusually hot or cold, increased sweating, mental or mood changes, numbness or tingling of the hands or feet, menstrual changes, neck swelling)
• Trouble walking
• Uncontrolled shaking or tremor
• Unexplained or unusual bruising or bleeding
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Unexplained weight changes
• Changes in vision
• Wheezing

Cordarone Black Box Warning

The Cordarone label includes a Black Box Warning regarding:

• Potentially fatal toxicities, including pulmonary toxicity
• Liver injuries
• Worsening arrhythmias
• Sudden death

Because of these risks, Cordarone is only to be used as a last resort in patients whose condition could prove deadly.