Amiodarone and Alcohol Interaction
Amiodarone and Alcohol
Amiodarone is the generic name which is sold as brand namesCordarone, Pacerone, Cordarone IV and is an antiarrhythmic medication that affects the rhythm of heartbeats.
The drug is used to help keep the heart beating at a normal pace for people with life threatening heart rhythm disorders of the ventricles which are the lower chambers of the heart that allow blood to flow out of the heart. It is used to treat ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.
The drug is used for life saving procedures and will be first administered in a hospital setting.
Alcohol should not be consumed while taking Amiodarone.
At this time the medical community defines moderate consumption of alcohol as no more than two drinks per day and no more than 14 drinks per week. Anything more than that is considered an unhealthy dependency on alcohol that may have adverse social, family and health consequences.
If a person drinks only once or twice a week but drinks on the same days each week and more than two drinks this is considered as an alcohol dependency.
If a person binge drinks at any time during the week this is also considered as alcoholism.
Some consider alcoholism as a disease while others consider it an addiction which is the result of personal choice and character fault. This school of thought blames the alcoholism on life style choices.
Personally I consider alcoholism a genetic tendency as I have seen families of alcoholics even when they live far apart. These unfortunate people are probably dependent on alcohol from the first drink.
When alcohol interacts with prescription over the counter drugs it usually results in negative health effects most especially liver damage as the main organ affected.
It is suggested that before taking this or any other drug you have a frank and honest discussion with your physician as to your drinking habits. This may be difficult as many alcoholics are in a state of denial as to their drinking habits.
I have also noticed that many alcoholics are not subject to the morning after illness that most of us suffer through when we drink too much. Severe alcoholics usually find if they feel “shakey” in the morning, a drink will make them feel more normal.
Amiodarone should not be used if you are pregnantas birth defects in the baby could occur.
You will need special tests to decide if you can safely use this drug if you have asthma or another lung disorder, liver disease, vision problems, high or low blood pressure, thyroid disorder, an electrolyte imbalance such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood, or if you have a pacemaker or defribillator in your chest.
Side Effects
Less serious side effects of Amiodarone and alcohol are feeling dizzy or tired, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, sleep problems, weakness, lack of coordination, warmth, tingling or redness under the skin.If these occur call your physician for advice.
Serious side effects of Amiodarone and alcohol are irregular heartbeat pattern, fast, slow or pounding heartbeats, feeling as if you will pass out, wheezing, cough, chest pain, trouble breathing, coughing up blood, blurred vision, vision loss, pain behind the eyes, short of breath, swelling, rapid weight gain, weight loss, thinning hair, too hot, too cold, increased sweating, irregular menstrual periods, goiter, numbness, burning, pain, tingling in your hands or feet, nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay colored stools or jaundice.If these occur get emergency medical help.
This site serves as an information source only and does not dispense medical advice or any other kind of advice. If you are seeking medical advice you are advised to consult your own physician.
Amiodarone and Alcohol
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