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Amiodarone HCL Side Effects

Amiodarone hydrochloride (HCL) is a medication prescribed to people with life-threatening heart rhythm disorders, including ventricular arrhtyhmias and atrial fibrillation. Available in generic form and as brands such as Cordarone and Pacerone, the drug can have dangerous side effects. Physicians usually prescribe amiodarone HCL only to patients who cannot tolerate or have not responded well to other medications.

  1. Heart Problems

    • In some cases, amiodarone can cause an arrhythmia to become worse or a new one to develop. You most likely will receive your first doses of amiodarone while in the hospital, so you can be monitored closely and receive prompt treatment for any adverse reaction. Heart-related side effects can also occur after you are home, however. Seek medical attention if you experience heart palpitations, unusually rapid or slow heartbeat, a feeling of faintness, or a recurrence of irregular heartbeat.

    Lung and Liver Issues

    • Amiodarone is stored in body tissue for several months and can cause side effects long after you stop using the drug. Storage in the tissue of various organs also can cause side effects that do not appear for years. Severe lung and liver conditions have occurred in people using amiodarone. Signs of lung problems include coughing, chest pain, difficult or painful breathing, wheezing and coughing up blood. Symptoms of liver dysfunction include jaundice, dark urine and fatigue.

    Other Serious Side Effects

    • Amiodarone can cause thyroid problems, with symptoms of increased perspiration, irregular menstruation, thinning hair, weight loss, and swelling in front of the neck (goiter). Amiodarone also is associated with low blood pressure, tremors and other uncontrollable movements, and severe sensitivity to sunlight. Some people have experienced serious vision problems such as blurred vision and seeing halos. Very rarely, permanent blindness has been linked to amiodarone use.

    Less Serious Side Effects

    • Some people experience gastrointestinal effects including abdominal pain, constipation, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Other possible side effects include decreased sex drive, dizziness, dry eyes, fatigue, flushing, headaches, insomnia, weakness, and changes in the ability to smell and taste.

    Drug Interactions

    • Amiodarone HCL interacts with many other drugs. These include cimetidine, clopidogrel, cyclosporine, dextromethorphan, diclofenac, digoxin, loratadine, antidepressants, anticoagulants, diuretics, insulin and other diabetes medications, narcotic pain relievers, antibiotics, anti-fungal medications, beta-blockers, cholesterol-lowering drugs and seizure medications.

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