Amiodarone

Question 1

Name

Answer 1

Amiodarone Hydrochloride

Cordarone X

Question 2

Class

Answer 2

Class 3 Antiarrhythmic

Question 3

Classification

Answer 3

Na+/K+ Channel blocker

Question 4

Actions

Answer 4

Prolongs cardiac refractory period and reduced cardiac excitability

Question 5

What is a Na+/K+ channel blocker?

Answer 5

• Rapid movements of sodium and potassium ions across cardiac cell results in depolarisation.
• Blocking the channels used by the potassium and sodium ions will reduce excitability or slow down rate of depolarisation
• Extends the PR and QT interval

Question 6

Indication

Answer 6

• During cardiac arrest and in management of resistant VF or VT that is refractory to repeat defibrillation
• sometimes for routine management of arrhythmias

Question 7

Presentation

Answer 7

• various prefilled syringe presentations (300mg)

- tablet form

Question 8

Pharmacodynamic Action

Answer 8

• stabilises and reduces electrical irritability of cardiac muscle
• prolongs the cardiac refractory period and reduces cardiac excitability
• extended exposure results in blue-grey discolouration to skin
• IV/IO absorption and transportation in blood plasma
• drug metabolism into the active metabolite desethylamiodarone
• long half life with 1-3 months effect

Question 9

Side effects

Answer 9

• bradycardia
• vasodilation and hypotension
• arrhythmias - Torsades de pointes