Amiodarone
It is a potent antiarrhythmic medication that works to correct an improper heartbeat. This medication is used to treat atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmias and is typically given when other medications haven’t worked.
This antiarrhythmic works by affecting the potassium level in the heart muscle which helps the heart resist irregular electrical signals.
It may be found in some form under the following brand names – Pacerone, Nexterone, and Cordarone.
This drug was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1985 under the brand name Pacerone and was manufactured by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical company that was purchased by Pfizer in 2009.
Uses
It is typically used to maintain a normal heart rate and to treat irregular heart rhythms (a condition described by the heart’s failure to beat or contract at the correct time).
Dosage
The usual recommended dose starts with 200mg, 3 times per day for 1 week. The dose should be reduced to 200mg, two times per day for a further week.
After oral administration, this medication has a bioavailability of approximately 30 percent. Also, it has a half-life of about 50 days, therefore, it may take 14 days to have an effect in the human body.
Note – if you have been taking another antiarrhythmic medication, you need to gradually stop taking that drug when you start taking Cordarone.
Side Effects And Precautions Of Cordarone
Common side effects may include:
- vomiting;
- nausea;
- insomnia;
- fatigue;
- constipation;
- tremor;
- stomach pain;
- headaches;
- constipation;
- lack of coordination;
- loss of appetite;
- vomiting;
- unusual movements of the body;
- decreased sex drive.
Rare side effects may include:
- a new or a worsening irregular heartbeat pattern;
- breathing problems which get worse;
- a feeling like you might pass out;
- upper stomach pain;
- coughing up blood;
- numbness in the hands or lower legs;
- chest pain;
- muscle weakness;
- a cough;
- loss of coordination;
- wheezing;
- unexplained weight gain;
- pain behind the eyes;
- irregular menstrual periods;
- seeing halos around lights;
- feeling more sensitive to cold temperatures;
- vision loss;
- hoarse voice;
- blurred vision;
- muscle pain;
- joint pain;
- dry skin;
- extreme tired feeling;
- swelling in the neck;
- increased sweating;
- thinning hair;
- yellowing of the skin or eyes;
- clay-colored stools;
- dark urine;
- loss of appetite.
This medication should be used with caution in:
- individuals with an intolerance to certain sugars;
- people with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator;
- individuals with low blood potassium levels (hypokalemia);
- people who are about to have a medical operation;
- people with low blood pressure;
- individuals with eyesight problems including optic neuritis (an inflammation that damages the optic nerve);
- asthma sufferers;
- people with heart failure;
- individuals with kidney and liver problems;
- people with porphyria (a group of disorders which can cause nerve or skin problems);
- seniors.
Do not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit while you are using this potent antiarrhythmic medication.
Alcohol
Avoid alcoholic intake while taking this antiarrhythmic drug.
Adenosine
Adenosine (brand name – Adenocard and Adenoscan) is an antiarrhythmic and a nucleoside with an important role in metabolism.
It also has effects on the heart, such as – reduced automaticity of the sinoatrial node, depression of conduction at the atrioventricular node, and reduced atrial contractility.
Uses
It is typically used in the treatment of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (a heart condition that causes the heart to beat abnormally fast) and atrioventricular nodal reentry (a type of abnormally fast heart rhythm).
Dosage
For adults, the initial recommended intravenous dose is 6 mg, administered over a 1-2 second period.
If the first dose does not result in the elimination of the supraventricular tachycardia within 1-2 minutes, 12 mg should be administered as a rapid intravenous bolus.
Side Effects And Precautions Of Adenocard
Common side effects may include:
- chest pressure;
- facial flushing;
- heart palpitations;
- shortness of breath;
- sweating;
- headaches;
- nausea;
- chest pain.
Rare side effects may include:
- a change in eyesight;
- chest pressure;
- chest pain;
- passing out;
- shortness of breath;
- seizures;
- problems speaking;
- trouble thinking;
- neck, throat, or jaw pain;
- a heartbeat which does not feel normal;
- blurred eyesight;
- drooping on one side of the face;
- weakness on 1 side of the body.
Some people can also experience an allergic reaction, with symptoms like:
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, face, lips, or throat;
- unusual hoarseness;
- tightness in the chest or throat;
- problems breathing;
- trouble talking;
- wheezing;
- red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin;
- itching;
- rash.
Pregnancy
There are no well-controlled studies that have been done on pregnant women, therefore, this medication should be used during pregnancy only if the possible benefit outweighs the possible risks.
Amiodarone vs Adenosine – Which Is Better For SVT (Supraventricular Tachycardia)?
Amiodarone is a potent antiarrhythmic medication that is used to treat both atrial and ventricular arrhythmia. It is considered the most effective antiarrhythmic drug available.
Adenosine is a class V antiarrhythmic and an endogenous nucleoside (meaning that is already present in the human body). This medicine works by slowing the conduction time through the atrioventricular node.
According to studies, amiodarone is more effective and potent than adenosine in preventing arrhythmia in sufferers for whom a rhythm-control strategy is chosen.
4 Natural Treatments For Arrhythmia
#1 Physical Exercise
Sufferers should engage in a daily physical exercise in order to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system.
People who already experience cardiac arrhythmia should follow a physical exercise plan recommended by their doctor, to be sure that they aren’t overexerting themselves.
Usually, 90 minutes per day should be sufficient, divided into two sessions (one in the morning and another in the evening).
#2 Coenzyme Q10
This enzyme is essential for the production of energy in the heart. According to the data, Coenzyme Q10 supplements (taken 200-300 mg a day) can reduce the risk of arrhythmia by 53%.
You can also eat foods high in this enzyme, including – pistachios, broccoli, cauliflower, soybeans, parsley, oranges, tamarinds, clementines, and sweet potatoes.
#3 Reishi Mushrooms
Studies in Japan concluded that eating Reishi mushrooms (also known as Ganoderma lucidum) helps regulate cerebral and coronary blood flow.
#4 Magnesium Rich-Foods
Magnesium is an essential mineral that is responsible for the health of nerve cells. This is beneficial for heart health since these nerve cells are what control the electrical signals within the heart muscle.
Foods high in magnesium include – rice bran, flax seeds, Brazil nuts, sesame seeds, cashews, pine nuts, spirulina, mung beans, navy beans, red kidney beans, artichokes, radishes, almonds, walnuts, broccoli, and cauliflower.
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References http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/35/4/734.full.pdf https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10666663 http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1514204#t=article