What is the pharmacological class of amiodarone?
What is the pharmacological class of amiodarone?
Amiodarone is in a class of medications called antiarrhythmics. It works by relaxing overactive heart muscles.
Which is a pharmacologic effect of the drug amiodarone?
After intravenous administration, amiodarone acts to relax smooth muscles that line vascular walls, decreases peripheral vascular resistance (afterload), and increases the cardiac index by a small amount. Administration by this route also decreases cardiac conduction, preventing and treating arrhythmias.
What class of antiarrhythmic drug is amiodarone?
Although amiodarone is considered a class III anti-arrhythmic agent, it also has class I, II, IV actions, making it a unique and effective anti-arrhythmic agent.
What is the medication amiodarone used for?
Amiodarone (Cordarone) is used to treat and prevent an irregular heartbeat. It slows down nerve activity in the heart and relaxes an overactive heart.
What’s another name for amiodarone?
Amiodarone is known as an anti-arrhythmic drug. It works by blocking certain electrical signals in the heart that can cause an irregular heartbeat. Amiodarone is available under the following different brand names: Pacerone, Cordarone, and Nexterone.
Why would you not give amiodarone?
Amiodarone may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away.
Can you take amiodarone long term?
With the limited data available, long-term amiodarone therapy appears to be safe and effective for persistent AF. However, this strategy was associated with a significant intolerance of its adverse effects, leading to cessation of treatment.
Is amiodarone bad for kidneys?
Amiodarone can interact with simvastatin, atorvastatin, and lovastatin, increasing the risk of severe muscle breakdown and kidney failure or liver disease.
What class of drug is amiodarone?
Medication Classification. Amiodarone is classified as an antiarrhythmic drug, meaning that it is used on patients who have heart arrhythmias especially atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, and tachyarrhythmias. “ [Amiodarone is a] class III antiarrhythmic agent, which inhibits adrenergic stimulation; affects sodium, potassium,…
How dangerous a drug is amiodarone?
Amiodarone may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away.
Which are the safer alternatives to amiodarone?
Dronedarone has been viewed as a potential therapeutic alternative for amiodarone because of a lower risk for pulmonary, thyroid, and dermatologic adverse effects. Compared with amiodarone, dronedarone has poor bioavailability and a shorter terminal disposition half-life, which dictates a twice-daily dosing regimen.
What is the chemical structure of amiodarone?
CHEMICAL STRUCTURE. The structural formula is as follows: Amiodarone HCl is a white to cream-colored crystalline powder. It is slightly soluble in water, soluble in alcohol, and freely soluble in chloroform. It contains 37.3% iodine by weight.