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Can Amiodarone HCL Be Taken For Irregular Heart Rate?
Question: My wife awoke a few minutes ago with an irregular heart rate ranging from 95 to 130. she is 68 and in good health. I take Amiodarone HCL 200 mg tablets each evening. Should I give her one?
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would like to explain that it is very likely that your wife's heart palpitations be due to cardiac arrhythmia, mos probably atrial fibrillation.
In such case using an antiarrhythmic drug (like amiodarone) would be a rational therapeutic alternative (if there are no contraindications).
But you should also know that amiodarone should not be considered a pill-in-the pocket drug and used in ambulatory settings (at home).
In such circumstances amiodarone could be ineffective and even dangerous.
Amiodarone could be an effective approach if used intravenously or at increased oral doses under close heart monitoring conditions.
Coming to this point, if those heart palpitations persist, I would better recommend you to ask medical assistance in the nearest ER service at your living area.
She should perform some tests:
-a resting ECG
- a cardiac ultrasound
- blood electrolytes
- thyroid hormone levels.
You should discuss with her doctor or the ER doctor on the above mentioned issues.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Feel free to ask me again if you have any other questions!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would like to explain that it is very likely that your wife's heart palpitations be due to cardiac arrhythmia, mos probably atrial fibrillation.
In such case using an antiarrhythmic drug (like amiodarone) would be a rational therapeutic alternative (if there are no contraindications).
But you should also know that amiodarone should not be considered a pill-in-the pocket drug and used in ambulatory settings (at home).
In such circumstances amiodarone could be ineffective and even dangerous.
Amiodarone could be an effective approach if used intravenously or at increased oral doses under close heart monitoring conditions.
Coming to this point, if those heart palpitations persist, I would better recommend you to ask medical assistance in the nearest ER service at your living area.
She should perform some tests:
-a resting ECG
- a cardiac ultrasound
- blood electrolytes
- thyroid hormone levels.
You should discuss with her doctor or the ER doctor on the above mentioned issues.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Feel free to ask me again if you have any other questions!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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