Patient was educated on precautions to be exercised for using Amiodarone as follows:
- Observe compliance with any regular lab work ordered. As Amiodarone undergoes metabolism in the liver and is largely excreted through the biliary route, it can stay in circulation for longer time and can be toxic in individuals with liver and biliary dysfunction.
- Observe compliance with any regular lab work ordered for thyroid functions, as patients taking amiodarone are at significant risk for hypo or hyperthyroidism.
- Observe compliance with any lab work ordered for potassium and magnesium levels, as these ions must be maintained in a close range for optimal functioning of the heart.
- Careful follow-up regarding potassium levels in the blood is mandatory, as both hypo and hyperkalemia can cause serious life threatening arrhythmias.
- Take a blood pressure and heart rate reading always before you take the pill. Maintain a log of every day blood pressure and heart rate readings. Notify your doctor, if they are being extremely low.
- If a dose is missed, it should be taken at the earliest notice of noncompliance. If it is time for the next dose, the missed dose can be skipped. Compensating for the missed dose by taking an extra dose can pose serious risk for an episode of extremely low blood pressure and heart rate, and acute episode of bronchoconstriction with shortness of breath, thus precipitating an emergency.
