Amiodarone
antiarrythmic drug
Uses
Mechanism
- blocks inactivated sodium channels, increasing calcium
- prolongs AP by blocking potassium channels
- decreases HR and AV node conduction
Dose and Half Life
Side Effects
short term
- bradycardia, heart block
- skin discolorization, eye problems
long term
- hepatitis
- fatal pulmonary fibrosis
Counter-Indications
Metabolism and Excretion
- excreted in epithelial cells, so long half-life
- metabolized in liver to bioactive by C3A4
- inhibits cytochrome P450 cytochromes, increasing lvels of drugs such as cyclosporine, warfarin
Dependency
