Also indexed as: Cordarone, Pacerone
Amiodarone is a drug occasionally used to treat life-threatening arrhythmias of the heart.
Summary of
Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, an herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem
contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized
interactions.
 May Be Beneficial: Side effect
reduction/prevention—Taking these supplements may help reduce the likelihood and/or
severity of a potential side effect caused by the medication. |
Vitamin E
|
Avoid: Adverse interaction—Avoid these supplements when taking this
medication because taking them together may cause undesirable or dangerous results. |
Grapefruit juice
|
| Depletion or interference |
None known
|
| Supportive interaction |
None known
|
| Reduced drug
absorption/bioavailability |
None known
|
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the
interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific
evidence.
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.
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.