Pacerone® (Amiodarone) Tablets for Cardiac Rhythm Control

What Amiodarone Is and How It Works

Amiodarone is a prescription antiarrhythmic medication used to treat and prevent serious heart rhythm problems. It is commonly used for atrial fibrillation (AFib) and ventricular arrhythmias. Most patients take amiodarone 200 mg oral tablets for long‑term rhythm control after a loading phase. You can buy amiodarone 200 mg at Canadian prices from YouDrugstore with a valid prescription.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy based in Manitoba, and our pharmacists review each prescription before dispensing. We also work with vetted, licensed partner pharmacies worldwide to supply authentic brands with broad selection and fair pricing.

Amiodarone belongs to Class III antiarrhythmics. It blocks potassium channels and prolongs cardiac repolarization, which helps stabilize the heart’s electrical signals. It also has sodium channel blocking, beta‑blocking, and calcium channel blocking effects. This mixed activity helps manage AFib, atrial flutter, and life‑threatening ventricular tachycardia. Oral tablets are taken with or without food, while hospital use may involve IV amiodarone (e.g., Nexterone®).

Dosage and Usage

• Typical oral loading: 800–1600 mg per day in divided doses for 1–3 weeks until the arrhythmia is controlled or a total load of about 10 g is reached.
• Typical consolidation: 600–800 mg per day for 1 month.
• Typical maintenance: 200–400 mg per day, often 200 mg daily. Strengths include amiodarone HCl 200 mg and 400 mg tablets; some patients start on amiodarone 200 mg and adjust as needed.
• Administration: swallow tablets with water. Taking with food can reduce stomach upset. Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice.
• Missed dose: if it is close to the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double doses.
• Switching or dose changes should follow prescriber guidance due to amiodarone’s long half‑life.

• Store tablets at 20–25°C (68–77°F); brief excursions 15–30°C are acceptable. Keep in a dry place, away from moisture.
• Protect from light. Keep in the original, tightly closed bottle.
• For travel, keep medicine in your carry‑on with your amiodarone prescription label.
• Do not leave tablets in a hot car or near heaters. Avoid temperatures above 30°C (86°F) or freezing conditions.
• Use a pill organizer only if it protects from light and moisture.

Benefits and Savings

Amiodarone helps control irregular heart rhythms when other therapies are unsuitable or ineffective. Many people with AFib use this medication to reduce symptomatic episodes and hospitalizations. Once maintenance dosing is reached, once‑daily regimens are common, which supports adherence. The long half‑life allows steady rhythm control after loading.

Buying through YouDrugstore can reduce amiodarone cost compared with typical US pharmacy prices. Customers often see 60–80% savings on amiodarone price, with prompt, express shipping to the US. Multi‑month supplies can lower the monthly average, and you can set simple reorder reminders to avoid gaps.

Looking for deals? See our amiodarone coupon page for current promotions.

Side Effects and Safety

• Common: nausea, constipation, abdominal discomfort, loss of appetite, altered taste
• Neurologic: tremor, sleep disturbance, fatigue
• Eye: corneal microdeposits (often asymptomatic), halos, blurred vision
• Skin: photosensitivity, blue‑gray skin discoloration after long use
• Endocrine: hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism due to iodine content
• Cardiac: slow heart rate; potential QT prolongation
• Liver: elevations in liver enzymes

Serious risks include pulmonary toxicity (new or worsening cough, shortness of breath), severe liver injury, significant bradycardia or heart block, optic neuropathy/neuritis, and proarrhythmia including torsades de pointes. Risk of hypoglycemia increases when amiodarone is combined with insulin or sulfonylureas due to enhanced beta‑blocking effects. Amiodarone and blood pressure: IV use may cause hypotension; oral therapy can modestly lower blood pressure in some patients.

Important interactions include warfarin (dose often needs reduction), digoxin (dose often needs reduction), and many antiarrhythmics and QT‑prolonging drugs. Avoid grapefruit. Clinicians often monitor ECG, thyroid, liver, and lung function at baseline and during therapy.

Onset Time

Amiodarone has a long and variable half‑life (about 40–60 days). With oral loading, some rhythm control may appear within several days, with more consistent effects over 1–3 weeks. Full maintenance benefit often stabilizes after loading and early dose adjustments. Without loading, onset is slower. IV formulations can act within hours for acute management.

Compare With Alternatives

Dronedarone is a related antiarrhythmic with a shorter half‑life and less thyroid and pulmonary toxicity risk, but it may be less effective for maintaining sinus rhythm in some patients and is contraindicated in certain heart failure settings. It is often chosen when long‑term toxicity is a major concern.

Sotalol combines class III antiarrhythmic and beta‑blocking effects. It can help with AFib and ventricular arrhythmias but requires careful QT monitoring and renal dose adjustments. It may be preferable when a shorter half‑life and simpler discontinuation are desired.

Flecainide or propafenone (class Ic) can be effective in selected AFib patients without significant structural heart disease. These agents usually work faster at onset but are not suitable for many with coronary disease or left ventricular dysfunction.

Pacerone® and amiodarone refer to the brand and generic oral tablets. Nexterone® amiodarone is an IV formulation used in hospitals for acute arrhythmias.

Combination Therapy

• Beta‑blockers or non‑dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers for rate control in AFib; monitor for additive bradycardia or heart block.
• Anticoagulants for stroke prevention in AFib; warfarin dose often needs reduction and closer INR checks when starting amiodarone.
• Implantable cardioverter‑defibrillator (ICD) therapy in ventricular tachycardia; amiodarone can reduce ICD shocks.
• Digoxin for rate control; digoxin dose is typically reduced to avoid toxicity.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Amiodarone medication is used when rhythm control is needed and other agents are not tolerated or ineffective. It can be appropriate for AFib, atrial flutter, and ventricular tachycardia. People with structural heart disease may be considered when class Ic drugs are unsuitable. Decisions are individualized by the prescriber.

Amiodarone may not be suitable for those with severe sinus node dysfunction or high‑grade AV block without a pacemaker, iodine hypersensitivity, significant baseline lung disease, severe hepatic impairment, or uncontrolled thyroid disorders. It is generally avoided in pregnancy and lactation because of fetal and neonatal thyroid effects. Regular monitoring helps track safety over time.

To manage amiodarone cost, consider a multi‑month supply if appropriate, which can lower the per‑month price. You can set quick reorder reminders in your account so you never run short. Ask about bulk promotions when available. Comparing amiodarone 200 mg price options and choosing amiodarone HCl 200 mg tab strengths that match the prescribed plan can also reduce waste.

Ordering is simple. Place your order online or by phone during office hours, upload your amiodarone prescription, and we will ship directly to you in the US with express handling.

Authoritative Sources

FDA Prescribing Information for Pacerone (amiodarone)

Health Canada Drug Product Database: Amiodarone Hydrochloride

Manufacturer Product Page: Pacerone

Order Amiodarone from YouDrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express shipping.

This content is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about medications, dosing, and potential interactions.