- Class
- Antiarrhythmics
- Body system
- Cardiovascular
- Brand names
- Pacerone, Nexterone
What is Amiodarone used for?
- Life-threatening ventricular dysrhythmias
- Pulseless ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation (IV, ACLS)
- Atrial fibrillation (off-label rhythm control)
How Amiodarone works
Class III antiarrhythmic: prolongs the action potential and refractory period; it also has beta-blocking and calcium channel-blocking effects.
Common side effects
- Bradycardia and hypotension (especially IV)
- Nausea
- Photosensitivity and blue-gray skin discoloration
- Corneal microdeposits
Report right away
- New cough or shortness of breath (pulmonary toxicity)
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine (liver injury)
- Vision changes
- Signs of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
Nursing considerations for Amiodarone
- Monitor the ECG (QT interval, heart rate), blood pressure, and baseline and periodic chest X-ray, pulmonary function, liver and thyroid tests, and eye exams.
- It raises digoxin and warfarin levels: doses are usually lowered and levels or INR checked.
- IV: use an in-line filter and the infusion concentrations and lines your protocol requires.
Patient teaching
- Use sunscreen and protective clothing.
- Avoid grapefruit juice.
- Keep all follow-up tests: toxicity can appear months after starting.
This card does not list doses. Use the prescriber's order, the product label and a current drug reference for dosing, and follow your facility's policies.
Antiarrhythmics practice questions
NCLEX-style questions on the class Amiodarone belongs to.
3 questions. Choose an answer to see the rationale.
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How is adenosine given for supraventricular tachycardia?
Show answer
Answer C: Rapid IV push followed immediately by a rapid saline flush Adenosine has a half-life of seconds, so it must reach the heart quickly: rapid push close to the heart, then a fast flush.
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A patient on long-term amiodarone reports a new dry cough and shortness of breath. What does the nurse suspect?
Show answer
Answer C: Pulmonary toxicity Pulmonary toxicity is one of amiodarone's most serious adverse effects and must be reported.
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Which ECG change is most important to monitor with many antiarrhythmics?
Show answer
Answer C: QT prolongation QT prolongation can lead to torsades de pointes, a life-threatening ventricular rhythm.
Frequently asked questions
What is Amiodarone used for?
Life-threatening ventricular dysrhythmias; Pulseless ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation (IV, ACLS); Atrial fibrillation (off-label rhythm control).
What drug class is Amiodarone?
Amiodarone belongs to the class antiarrhythmics. Class III antiarrhythmic: prolongs the action potential and refractory period; it also has beta-blocking and calcium channel-blocking effects.
What are the nursing considerations for Amiodarone?
Monitor the ECG (QT interval, heart rate), blood pressure, and baseline and periodic chest X-ray, pulmonary function, liver and thyroid tests, and eye exams. It raises digoxin and warfarin levels: doses are usually lowered and levels or INR checked.
What should patients report while taking Amiodarone?
new cough or shortness of breath (pulmonary toxicity); yellow skin or eyes, dark urine (liver injury); vision changes; signs of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.