Regulatory Information
SANOFI-AVENTIS SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
SANOFI-AVENTIS SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
Therapeutic
Prescription Only
Formulation Information
TABLET
**Posology and Method of Administration** **_Adults_** It is particularly important that the minimum effective dose be used. In all cases the patient’s management must be judged on the individual response and well being. The following dosage regimen is generally effective. **_Initial Stabilisation_** Treatment should be started with 200mg, three times a day and may be continued for 1 week. The dosage should then be reduced to 200mg, twice daily for a further week. **_Maintenance_** The minimum effective dosage should be used according to individual response. It may range between 100mg daily to 400mg daily. Cordarone may be given on alternative days (200mg may be given every other day where 100mg are recommended daily); therapeutic windows have been also recommended (2 days a week): they are possible due to the prolonged therapeutic action of Cordarone. **_General Considerations_** Initial dosing A high dose is needed in order to achieve adequate tissue levels rapidly. Maintenance Too high a dose during maintenance therapy can cause side effects which are believed to be related to high tissue levels of amiodarone and its metabolites. Amiodarone is strongly protein bound and has an average plasma half life of 50 days (reported range 20–100 days). It follows that sufficient time must be allowed for a new distribution equilibrium to be achieved between adjustments of dosage. In patients with potentially lethal arrhythmias the long half life is a valuable safeguard, as omission of occasional doses does not significantly influence the overall therapeutic effect. It is particularly important that the minimum effective dosage is used and the patient is monitored regularly to detect the clinical features of excess amiodarone dosage. Therapy may then be adjusted accordingly. Dosage reduction/withdrawal Side effects slowly disappear as tissue levels fall. Following drug withdrawal, residual tissue bound amiodarone may protect the patient for up to a month. However, the likelihood of recurrence of arrhythmia during this period should be considered. **_Pediatric population_** The safety and efficacy of amiodarone in children has not been established. **_Elderly_** As with all patients it is important that the minimum effective dose is used. Whilst there is no evidence that dosage requirements are different for this group of patients they may be more susceptible to bradycardia and conduction defects if too high a dose is employed. Particular attention should be paid to monitoring thyroid function. (see _Contraindications, Special Warnings and Special Precautions for Use, and Undesirable Effects_ – _please refer to the Product Insert/Patient Information Leaflet published on HSA for the full drug information_). Cordarone Tablet 200mg is for oral administration.
ORAL
Medical Information
**Therapeutic Indications** Treatment should be initiated and normally monitored only under hospital or specialist supervision. Oral Cordarone is indicated only for the treatment of severe rhythm disorders not responding to other therapies or when other treatments cannot be used. Tachyarrhythmias associated with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome. Atrial flutter and fibrillation when other drugs cannot be used. All types of tachyarrhythmias of paroxysmal nature including: supraventricular, nodal and ventricular tachycardias, ventricular fibrillation: when other drugs cannot be used.
**Contraindications** Sinus bradycardia and sino-atrial heart block. In patients with severe conduction disturbances (high grade AV block, bifascicular or trifascicular block) or sinus node disease, Cordarone should be used only in conjunction with a pacemaker. Evidence or history of thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid function tests should be performed in all patients prior to therapy. Known hypersensitivity to iodine or to amiodarone, or to any of the excipients. (One 200mg tablet contains approximately 75mg iodine). The combination of Cordarone with drugs which may induce torsades de pointes is contraindicated (see _Interactions with Other Medicinal Products and Other Forms of Interaction_ – _please refer to the Product Insert/Patient Information Leaflet published on HSA for the full drug information_). Pregnancy – except in exceptional circumstances (see _Pregnancy and Lactation_ – _please refer to the Product Insert/Patient Information Leaflet published on HSA for the full drug information_). Lactation (see _Pregnancy and Lactation_ – _please refer to the Product Insert/Patient Information Leaflet published on HSA for the full drug information_).
C01BD01
amiodarone
Manufacturer Information
SANOFI-AVENTIS SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
SANOFI WINTHROP INDUSTRIE
Active Ingredients
Documents
Package Inserts
Cordarone Tablet PI.pdf
Approved: May 19, 2020