Cordarone X Injection: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Cordarone X Injection contains amiodarone hydrochloride, a Class III antiarrhythmic agent used to control a fast or irregular heartbeat. It is given only in hospitals, often to treat serious, life-threatening rhythm problems in the lower chambers of the heart when other treatments have not worked. It works by lengthening the gap between heartbeats to help bring the heart rate to a slower, more regular pace. It is also used in patients who cannot take the tablet form of this medicine.

What is Cordarone X Injection

Cordarone X is a medicine used to control a fast or irregular heartbeat. It contains the active ingredient amiodarone hydrochloride. The injection is given only in hospitals, often to treat serious, life-threatening rhythm problems in the lower chambers of the heart when other treatments have not worked.

Cordarone X Injection uses

• Controls a fast or irregular heartbeat
• Treats serious, life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias (rhythm disorders of the lower heart chambers) in patients who have not responded to other treatments
• Used in patients who cannot take the tablet form of this medicine

Benefits of Cordarone X Injection

• Helps control irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
• Helps restore and maintain a normal heart rhythm
• Used for certain fast ventricular arrhythmias
• Can help stabilize dangerous ventricular tachycardia
• Used in emergency treatment of certain serious cardiac arrhythmias

How Cordarone X Injection works

Cordarone X works by lengthening the gap between one heartbeat and the next, which helps bring the heart rate to a slower and more regular pace.

Cordarone X Injection dosage

The injection is given slowly over a set period of time, and only in a hospital setting. Further doses may be given depending on how you respond to treatment. There may be an overlap of a couple of days between the injection and starting tablets. Tablets started after the injection should be swallowed whole with water or another liquid such as tea or milk. This medicine is not recommended for use in children.

Available forms and strengths

• Injection (ampoule)
• Tablet

Side effects of Cordarone X Injection

Common

• Cough
• Dizziness
• Increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
• Blurred vision
• Trouble sleeping
• Skin rash
• Yellow colored eyes or skin
• Headache
• Constipation
• Pain at the injection site
• Decreased appetite or loss of appetite
• Low blood pressure
• Difficulty in breathing
• Weakness of arms or legs
• Uncontrolled body movements
• Unusual tiredness and weakness
• Tremor, insomnia or other sleep disorders, vivid dreams or nightmares
• Metallic taste
• Pins and needles or numbness in the hands, legs or feet
• Slow heartbeat
• Bluish skin discolouration
• Pain or swelling at the injection site
• Nausea
• Fever

Serious

• Changes to heartbeat such as pounding, rapid or very slow heartbeat
• Allergic reaction including swelling of face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat, shortness of breath, wheezing, rash, itching or hives
• Blurring or deterioration of vision, sensitisation of eyes to light
• Severe blisters and bleeding in the lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals
• Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
• Faintness or light-headedness
• Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, unusual tiredness, passing dark-coloured urine
• Clumsiness and lack of coordination, affecting balance and manner of walking, limb or eye movements or speech
• Chest pain, cough or spitting up blood
• Serious lung damage

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use Cordarone X if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. It is best avoided for 3 months before pregnancy and throughout pregnancy because it can stay in the body for months after stopping.
• Do not use Cordarone X if you are breastfeeding, as it can pass into breast milk. If you must use this medicine while breastfeeding, alternative feeding arrangements such as bottle feeding should be made for your baby.
• Check with your doctor if you have liver problems. Your doctor will monitor your liver function with blood tests during treatment.
• Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Cordarone X affects you. There is no evidence that amiodarone impairs the ability to drive a vehicle or operate machinery.
• Do not use Cordarone X if you are allergic to amiodarone hydrochloride, iodine, or any of the ingredients
• Do not use Cordarone X if you have or have had thyroid problems, or heart problems that may cause you to faint
• Do not use Cordarone X injection if you have low blood pressure, severe breathing problems, heart disease or failure, or shock
• Do not use Cordarone X injection in newborn babies less than one month old, including premature babies
• Treatment with amiodarone may cause serious lung, liver and eye damage and may worsen heart problems
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without checking with your doctor
• Always use sunscreen and wear a hat and protective clothing outdoors, and do not use a sunlamp, because this medicine can make skin more sensitive to sunlight
• Avoid drinking large quantities of grapefruit juice as it may affect how the medicine is absorbed
• Tell your doctor or medical professional that you are using Cordarone X before any surgery, medical procedure, or new medicines, since it can affect medicines like general anaesthetics

Storage

• If you need to store the injection before taking it to a hospital, make sure it is stored in a place where the temperature stays between 8 to 25°C
• Do not refrigerate the injection
• Protect from light
• If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal

When to see a doctor

• Get urgent medical help if you think you have used too much Cordarone X, even if you feel fine, by calling your doctor, contacting the Poisons Information service, or going to the Emergency Department
• Call your doctor straight away or go to the Emergency Department if you notice serious side effects such as pounding or very rapid or very slow heartbeat, chest pain, coughing up blood, vision changes, severe blistering, yellowing of skin or eyes, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, or loss of coordination
• Tell your doctor immediately if you notice signs of an allergic reaction such as shortness of breath, wheezing, or swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat

Alternatives

• Amiodarone Injection
• Cardasol Injection
• Scodarone Injection