amiodarone hydrochloride, an oral antiarrhythmic drug. ▪ INDICATIONS: It is prescribed for the treatment of life-threatening recurrent ventricular fibrillation and recurrent, hemodynamically unstable ventricular tachycardia refractory to other drugs; it is not considered induction therapy because of toxicities. ▪ CONTRAINDICATIONS: This drug should not be given when patients have severe sinus-node dysfunction or second- or third-degree atrioventricular block or when episodes of bradycardia have resulted in syncope, except when used with a pacemaker. It also should not be used during pregnancy or in combination with certain other drugs such as ritonavir or certain quinolone antibiotics (e.g., sparfloxacin, moxifloxacin, gatifloxacin). ▪ ADVERSE EFFECTS: Among the most serious adverse effects are pulmonary toxicity, liver dysfunction, nausea, vomiting, constipation, anorexia, malaise, fatigue, tremor, involuntary movements, visual disorders, bradycardia, cyanosis, and congestive heart failure.
