PACERONE

Drug Name: PACERONE

PACERONE DESCRIPTION:
AMIODARONE - ORAL (am-ee-OH-duh-rown)

COMMON PACERONE BRAND NAME(S):
Cordarone

PACERONE SIDE EFFECTS:
Constipation, loss of appetite, bitter taste in mouth, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, flushing of face or decreased sexual interest may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If these effects persist or worsen, inform your MD. Report promptly if you develop: painful breathing, shortness of breath, cough, slight fever, blue-gray coloring of skin, coldness, sweating, irregular pulse, skin rash, yellowing eyes or skin, vision changes. PACERONE can increase sensitivity to sunlight. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE PACERONE:
PACERONE: This is best taken with food. However, it is most important to take amiodarone under the same conditions, consistently, for each dose. Ask your pharmacist for additional information. PACERONE works best when there is a constant level of the drug in your body. To do this, take each dose exactly as prescribed at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night. Try to take each dose at the same time each day. Do not stop taking PACERONE or change the dose without first consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped.

PACERONE WARNING:
Amiodarone should be used only after all other options have been tried and only under close medical supervision. First doses must be given in a hospital setting. A response may not be seen until 1 or 2 weeks after the medication is given. If your doctor changes your dose or stops PACERONE, you may need to be in the hospital longer. If amiodarone is stopped, it may stay in your body for weeks or months and could interfere with other treatment. Severe, even fatal, lung or liver problems have occurred in patients using PACERONE. Immediately contact your doctor if you experience any of these serious side effects: cough, fever, chills, chest pain, difficult or painful breathing, nausea, dark urine, muscle pain, stomach pain, yellowing eyes/skin, unusually slow or irregular pulse, or blue-gray skin color. Like other medications used to treat irregular heartbeats, this medication can make an irregular heartbeat worse. Heartbeat problems may occur even months after PACERONE has been stopped.

PACERONE USES:
PACERONE is used to treat irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and maintain a normal heart rate.

PACERONE PRECAUTIONS:
Tell your doctor your complete medical history, especially of: liver disease, heart problems, kidney problems, lung diseases, thyroid problems, allergies (especially drug allergies). PACERONE may make you more prone to sunburn. Wear protective clothing and a sunscreen. PACERONE is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using PACERONE. Amiodarone is excreted into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding because taking PACERONE while breast-feeding is not recommended.

PACERONE DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Inform your doctor about all the medicines you use (both prescription and nonprescription), especially of: all heart drugs, blood thinners (e.g., warfarin), beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol), digoxin, phenytoin, theophylline. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

PACERONE OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include weakness, dizziness, unusually slow heartbeat, nausea, dark urine, fever, yellowing eyes or skin, stomach pain, or fainting.

PACERONE NOTES:
Your doctor may want you to check your pulse rate every day while you take PACERONE. Learn how to monitor your pulse. Eye exams are required with PACERONE. To evaluate the effectiveness of PACERONE, your doctor may periodically take a blood sample to measure the amount of the drug in your body. Chest X-rays or electrocardiogram (EKG) may also be done. Keep all appointments with your doctor.

MISSED PACERONE DOSE:
If you miss a dose, do not take the missed dose at all and do not "double-up" the next dose. Instead, resume your usual dosing schedule. If 2 or more doses in a row are missed, contact your doctor.

PACERONE STORAGE:
Store at room temperature away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom. Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information on enrollment call Medic Alert(TM) at 1-800-854-1166. In Canada call 1-800-668-1507.