Google
 
Web www.vitaminlore.com
www.eniva.com

Amiodarone

Also indexed as: Cordarone®, Pacerone®

Amiodarone is a drug occasionally used to treat life-threatening arrhythmias of the heart.

Interactions with Dietary Supplements

Vitamin E
Test tube research on human lung tissue suggests that vitamin E might reduce lung toxicity caused by amiodarone.1 More research is needed to further investigate this possibility.

Interactions with Foods and Other Compounds

Grapefruit juice
In one controlled study, drinking grapefruit juice while taking amiodarone dramatically increased blood levels of the drug.2 Consequently, people taking amiodarone should avoid drinking grapefruit juice (and eating grapefruit) to prevent potentially serious side effects.

Summary of Interactions for Amiodarone

Depletion or interference None known
Adverse interaction Grapefruit juice
Side effect reduction/prevention Vitamin E
Supportive interaction None known
Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability None known

For the convenience of the reader, the information in the summary is categorized as follows: “Depletion or interference” indicates the drug may deplete or interfere with the absorption or function of the supplement or herb. “Adverse interaction” indicates that the supplement or herb used together with the drug may result in undesirable effects. “Side effect reduction/prevention” indicates the supplement or herb may reduce the likelihood and/or severity of a potential side effect caused by the drug. “Supportive interaction” indicates the supplement or herb may support or aid the function of the drug. “Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability” indicates that the supplement or herb may decrease the absorption and/or activity of the drug in the body. An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

References:

1. Kachel DL, Moyer TP, Martin WJ 2d. Amiodarone-induced injury of human pulmonary artery endothelial cells: Protection by alpha-tocopherol. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1990;254:1107–12.

2. Libersa CC, Brique SA, Motte KB, et al. Dramatic inhibition of amiodarone metabolism induced by grapefruit juice. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2000;49:373–8.