Nurse Teaching Topic: Contraindication for Amiodarone Use

Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindication for using Amiodarone as follows:

1. Avoid using Amiodarone along with any other medications that can cause slowdown of heart rate, such as, Beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Using them together can result in extreme slowdown of heart rate and can present an emergency.
2. Amiodarone is contraindicated in individuals with abnormally slow heart rates, as Amiodarone can potentiate the risk for heart block.
3. Amiodarone is contraindicated in individuals with history of liver disease, as this medication has increased risk for causing hepatitis.
4. Amiodarone is contraindicated in individuals with history of severe SOB and episodes of difficulty breathing, as amiodarone has an increased risk of causing pulmonary fibrosis.
5. Amiodarone undergoes metabolism in the liver and is largely excreted through the biliary route. Amiodarone can stay in circulation for longer time and can be toxic in individuals with liver and biliary dysfunction.