The main factors that affect a sufficient amiodarone dose are the method of administration of the drug and the stage of dosing the patient is currently in. In addition, the dosage should be reduced by up to half if the patient has any liver impairment. The initial dosage when the drug is administered intravenously is 1,000 milligrams (mg) per day, administered according to the dosing regimen. If the drug is being taken orally, between 800 and 1,600 mg per day may be required initially, which is then reduced to 400 mg per day over time.
Amiodarone is classed as an antiarrhythmic medication, which is used to treat people who have disorders of the ventricles. The ventricles are the lower muscles of the heart, which control the rate of the heartbeat. Ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation are two disorders commonly treated using an amiodarone dose. Doses can be administered through oral pills or through intravenous injection, which is administration by injection directly into the veins. The drug is only administered in potentially life-threatening situations and carries some significant side effects that make professional supervision important during the initial doses.
When the drug is administered intravenously for general arrhythmias, a certain dosing regimen has to be observed. Generally speaking, the recommended amiodarone dose is 1,000 mg over the first 24 hours. The dosage is generally broken down over time periods, controlled by a drip mechanism on the intravenous tube, initially starting with 150 mg over the first ten minutes. After that initial dose, 360 mg is administered over a period of six hours. The remainder of the dose is then given to the patient over the rest of the 24-hour period.
The pill form of the drug has different dosage requirements than the intravenous solution form. The recommended amiodarone dose for the oral route of administration begins with 800 to 1,600 mg per day for the first one to three weeks. When the arrhythmia responds to the treatment, or when side effects begin to increase in severity, the dosage is reduced to between 600 and 800 mg per day. This allows the drug to continue to have an effect without risking the potentially dangerous side effects. For the final period of oral dosing, the amount can be reduced to 400 mg per day, depending upon the doctor’s recommendation.
Patients suffering from serious liver problems may require up to a 50 percent reduction in dosage compared to somebody without liver problems. The liver is a vital organ for managing the effects of drugs, and a normal amiodarone dose could be very dangerous for somebody with liver problems. The drug can still be administered, but it is generally wise to do so only when a doctor is present to monitor the situation.