Amiodarone

Question 1

Trade name

Answer 1

Cordarone

Question 2

Class

Answer 2

Anti-dysrhythmic agent class III

Question 3

Mechanism of Action

Answer 3

Prolongs duration of action potential and effective refractory period, noncompetitive alpha and beta adrenergic inhibition, increases PR and QT intervals, decreases sinus rate, decreases PVR

Question 4

Indications

Answer 4

Ventricular Fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and rate control in pots with history of WPW, Atrial fibrillation.flutter, or PSVT

Question 5

Contraindications

Answer 5

Do not administer with other drugs that prolong QT internal (procainamide) or Lidocaine; Administer 1/2 dose if lidocaine given PTA

Question 6

Adverse Effects

Answer 6

Nausea, vomiting, bradycardia, hypotension, asystole

Question 7

Incompatibilities/ Drug interactions

Answer 7

precipitates at certain concentrations when mixed at a Y site with Sodium Bicarbonate or Furosemide

Question 8

Routes of Administration

Answer 8

IV IO

Question 9

Onset of Action

Answer 9

Onset varies, Duration of 1/2 life can be as long as 40 days

Question 10

Adult dose

Answer 10

300mg bolus in pulsless VT/VF
150mg over 10min (15mg/min)
Max dose not to exceed 2.2grams in 24hrs

Question 11

Pediatric Dose

Answer 11

5mg/kg IV over 10min

Max dose 15 mg/kg

Question 12

Special considerations

Answer 12

Watch for hypotension and bradycardia
May prolong QT interval; establish baseline QT prior to admin
Must be mixed in D5W

Question 13

Protocols used

Answer 13

A-10 V-fib/V-tach
A-11 V-tach with a pulse stable
A-11a V-tach with a pulse unstable
A-12 PSVT
B-7 V-fib/V-tach
B-8 V-tach w/ Pulse