Amiodarone on the NCLEX
Amiodarone: class III antiarrhythmic, multi-organ toxicity, loading dose, monitoring.
Amiodarone is the workhorse for life-threatening arrhythmias. Effective but toxic on many organs.
Use
VT/VF (ACLS), AFib rhythm control. IV load then PO maintenance.
Toxicities
Pulmonary fibrosis (chronic cough, dyspnea, report). Hepatotoxicity. Thyroid dysfunction (hyper or hypo, iodine content). Corneal microdeposits. Blue-gray skin with chronic use. QT prolongation.
Monitoring
Baseline: TSH, LFTs, PFTs, CXR, eye exam. Periodic monitoring throughout therapy.
Frequently asked
Long half-life, implications?
Effects persist weeks after stopping. Drug interactions linger.
Amiodarone + warfarin?
Increases warfarin effect. Decrease warfarin dose. Monitor INR.
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