Cordarone-X Tablets

When and how do I take it?

• Take this medicine by mouth. Swallow the tablets whole. Do not crush or chew your tablets.
• Do not drink grapefruit juice while taking this medicine. This is because drinking grapefruit juice while taking Cordarone X tablets can increase your chance of getting side effects.

What’s the dose?

• The usual starting dose is 200 mg (one 200 mg or two 100 mg Cordarone X Tablets) three times each day for one week.
• The dose will then be lowered to 200 mg twice each day for one week.
• The dose will then be lowered to 200 mg once each day, until you are told otherwise.
• In some cases, your doctor may then decide to either increase or lower the amount you take each day. This will depend on how you react to this medicine.

Could it interact with other tablets?

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines. This includes medicines you buy without a prescription, including herbal medicines. This is because Cordarone X Tablets can affect the way some other medicines work. Also some medicines can affect the way Cordarone X Tablets works.

In particular, do not take this medicine and tell your doctor, if you are taking:

• Other medicines for an uneven heartbeat (such as sotalol, quinidine, procainamide, disopyramide or bretylium).
• Medicines for infections (such as intra-venous erythromycin, co-trimoxazole, moxifloxacin or pentamidine)
• Medicines for schizophrenia (such as chlorpromazine, thioridazine, fluphenazine, pimozide, haloperidol, amisulpiride or sertindole)
• Medicines for other mental illnesses (such as lithium, doxepin, maprotiline or amitriptyline)
• Medicines for malaria (such as quinine, mefloquine, chloroquine or halofantrine)
• Medicines used for hay fever, rashes or other allergies called antihistamines (such as terfenadine, astemizole or mizolastine)

Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• Medicines for infection (such as ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin or levofloxacin)
• Medicines for heart problems called beta-blockers (such as propranolol)
• Medicines called calcium channel blockers - for chest pain (angina) or high blood pressure (such as diltiazem or verapamil)
• Medicines for constipation (laxatives) such as bisacodyl or senna
• Medicines for high cholesterol (statins) such as simvastatin or pravastatin

The following medicines can increase the chance of you getting side effects, when taken with Cordarone X Tablets:

• Amphotericin (when given directly into a vein) - used for fungal infections
• Medicines for inflammation (corticosteroids) such as hydrocortisone, betamethasone or prednisolone
• Water tablets (diuretics)
• General anaesthetics or high dose oxygen - used during surgery
• Tetracosactide - used to test some hormone problems

Cordarone X Tablets may increase the effect of the following medicines:

• Ciclosporin and tacrolimus - used to help prevent rejection of transplants
• Medicines for impotence such as sildenafil, tadalafil or vardenafil
• Fentanyl - used for pain relief
• Ergotamine - used for migraines
• Midazolam - used to relieve anxiety or to help you relax before surgery
• Flecainide - another medicine used for uneven heartbeats. Your doctor should monitor your treatment and may half your dose of Flecainide
• Lidocaine – used as an anaesthetic

If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Cordarone X Tablets.

Herbal supplements should be used with caution and only after informing your doctor first.

What are the possible risks or side-effects?

Stop taking Cordarone X Tablets and see a doctor or go to a hospital straight away if: You have an allergic reaction.

The signs may include:

• a rash
• swallowing or breathing problems
• swollen eyelids, face, lips, throat or tongue

Common side effects include: (affects less than 1 in 10 people):

• You get yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
• feel tired or sick
• loss of appetite, stomach pain or high temperature

These can be signs of liver problems or damage which can be very dangerous. Difficulty breathing or tightness in the chest, coughing which will not go away, wheezing, weight loss and fever. This could be due to inflammation of your lungs which can be very dangerous.

Can I drink alcohol while taking it?

• Limit the amount of alcohol you drink while taking this medicine. This is because drinking alcohol while taking this medicine will increase the chance of you having problems with your liver. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the amount of alcohol you can drink.

What if I’m pregnant/breastfeeding?

• Cordarone should not be given during pregnancy except in exceptional circumstances. It should not be used during breast feeding.

If you have any more questions please ask your Pharmacist.

Remember to keep all medicines out of reach of children
Please Note: We have made every effort to ensure that the content of this information sheet is correct at time of publish, but remember that information about drugs may change. This sheet does not list all the uses and side-effects associated with this drug. For full details please see the drug information leaflet which comes with your medicine. Your doctor will assess your medical circumstances and draw your attention to any information or side-effects which may be relevant in your particular case.

References:

http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=51be39a2-9134-402c-95ad-defe47406ff8

http://www.rxlist.com/cordarone-drug.htm

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/27085/SPC/Cordarone+X+200mg+Tablets/

http://www.drugs.com/cdi/cordarone.html

http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/UCM152841.pdf