Amiodarone

Classification:        

Action:                      

Potassium channel blocker

Prolongs duration of action potential and refractory period

Relaxes smooth muscles causing vasodilation in coronary arteries

Indications:

Pulseless ventricular tachycardia

Ventricular fibrillation

SVT (A-fib, A-flutter, junctional/atrial tachycardia)

Ventricular tachycardia

Contraindications:

Cardiogenic shock

High degree AV blocks

Bradycardia

Sick sinus syndrome

Cardiovascular        Neurological                           hypotension             numbness

cardiogenic shock              dizziness

                                           headache

Respiratory                Gastrointestinal                      pulmonary toxicity        nausea/vomit                                                                       

Administration:

Cardiac Arrest   300 mg IV/IO, may repeat 150 mg one time in 3-5 minutes.

Tachydysrhythmias  150 mg IV/IO over 10 minutes (15mg/min.) Repeat as needed to a maximum of 450 mg.

Pediatrics: 

Cardiac Arrest   5mg/kg rapid IV/IO bolus. May repeat 10mg/kg in 3-5 minutes one time.

Tachydysrhythmias   5mg/kg IV/IO over 20-60 minutes.  Repeat to a max of 15mg/kg.

Onset:              

Duration:                  

Onset:        2 – 3 minutes

Duration:     Varies

Precautions:            

Do not administer if there is a history of thyroid

dysfunction, CHF or hypersensitivity to iodine.