Aratac

Generic Name: Amiodarone hydrochloride
Product Name: Aratac

• Indication of Aratac
• Action of Aratac
• Dose advice of Aratac
• Schedule of Aratac
• Common side effects of Aratac
• Uncommon side effects of Aratac

Indication of Aratac:

Amiodarone is used in the treatment of fast abnormal heart rhythms that have not responded to other treatments. These heart rhythms include Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, supraventricular tachycardias, nodal tachycardias, ventricular tachycardias, atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation and ventricular fibrillation.

^ top

Action of Aratac:

Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic agent that reduces the excitability of the heart muscle cells making them less likely to respond to abnormal electrical activity and also reduces the speed that abnormal electrical impulses are conducted through the heart.

^ top

Dose advice of Aratac:

Doses need to be individually titrated for each individual patient depending on their individual response and their side effects as absorption varies widely between patients. It is particularly important that the minimum effective dose be used. In adults amiodarone treatment is usually started at a dose of 200 mg three times daily. After one week the dose is reduced to 200 mg twice daily for a further week and then to 200 mg once daily for maintenance therapy.

^ top

Schedule of Aratac:

S4

^ top

Common side effects of Aratac:

Elevated levels of liver enzymes.

Abnormal thyroid function tests - amiodarone can cause hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

Excessive slowing of the heart rate.

Increased skin reaction on exposure to sunlight.

Nausea

Muscle weakness.

Deposits in the cornea of the eye, which are normally asymptomatic.

^ top

Uncommon side effects of Aratac:

Worsening of pre-existing heart failure

Skin rashes

Facial flushing

Hair loss

Bluish discolouration of the skin with grey discolouration of the face

Vomiting

Loss of appetite

Constipation

Salty or metallic taste in the mouth

Weight gain

Tremor

Insomnia

Headaches

Dizziness and vertigo

Fatigue

Vivid dreams

Difficulty walking

Chronic anxiety

Inflammation of the testis

Impotence

^ top

Diseases treated by Aratac:

• Mitral Regurgitation (MR)
• Tricuspid Valvular Disease

For further information talk to your doctor.

Connect

Sign up for free newsletters

Subscribe to RSS feeds

Discuss on Forum

Article Dates:

Modified: 7/6/2006

Created: 22/7/2003