Amiodorone:

Class III  Antiarrhythmic

also Class I & Class II

   

 
   

This super popular drug is used for "just about" everything that is FAST OR WIERD:

Stable AND unstable narrow complex tachycardias... (SVTs)

Known AND unknown wide complex tachycardias... (V Tach)

AND irregular tachycardias (A Fib, V Fib)

IVP DOSING

   
150 mg IVP for SVTs
   

300 mg

IVP for V Fib & V Tach
   
150 mg After 3-5 minutes  the or 
   
2 g MAX DOSE for 24 hours
 

INFUSION DOSING

   
For the FIRST 6 hours 1 mg/min
   

For the remaining 18 hours, and up to 2-3 weeks!

0.5 mg/min
   
MAX dose in 24 hours is still: 2 g

Used for almost all tachycardias! Especially persistant VF/VT.  It is listed in the line up of antiarrhythmic choices for both stable and unstable SVT, as well as wide complex tachycardias of unknown type.  Also an option for stable monomorphic VT, and stable polymorphic VT if the QT interval is not prolonged.  Though primarily having class III activity, the drug also has a strong class I effect (inhibition of inactivated Na+ channel), as well as a significant class II effect (noncompetiively blocks a- & b-receptors) and class IV effect (AV-node-Ca++ inhibition).  Its class III activity occurs in all cardiac tissue, blocking K+ channels, which prolong the duration of the action potential, and thereby lengthening the effective refractory period.  

   

Side Effects: Vasodilation, ¯ BP, ¯ HR, AV blocks, ­ QT interval, VF/VT, hepatotoxicity.  Has a SUPER-DUPER long ½ life, reversal of SE's may take months!!!  

   

Contraindicated: with other drugs that ­ QT interval, known AV block, bradycardia, and cardiogenic shock.

Amiodarone: by Dr. Fogoros
Amiodorone: can cause lung disease
Amiodarone: critical points

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Copyright 2009, Samos Alixopulos, ICU RN