Question 1

How can I lower the cost of my amiodarone

Accepted Answer

You can lower cost of your amiodarone using one of the 4 following drug savings programs: Rx Advantage Card for amiodarone, Canadian Prescription Savings for amiodarone, amiodarone Drug Coupons, amiodarone Patient Assistance Programs

Question 2

What dosages is amiodarone available in?

Accepted Answer

amiodarone is available as a 100 mg, 200 mg, and 400 mg oral tablet.

Question 3

What is amiodarone used for?

Accepted Answer

amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic and is used for the:  Prevention of recurrent (keeps happening) ventricular arrhythmia Treatment of ventricular arrhythmia

Question 4

How does amiodarone work?

Accepted Answer

amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic. It works by blocking various receptors and channels in your heart, which play a major part in your heart’s electrical activity. amiodarone slows down the electrical activity to help your heartbeat stay in a normal ‘sinus’ rhythm.

Question 5

How do I take amiodarone?

Accepted Answer

amiodarone tablets are usually started in the hospital. The typical ‘loading dose’ is 800 mg to 1600 mg per day until the arrhythmia is controlled, which usually takes 1 to 3 weeks. Then the dose goes down to 600 mg to 800 mg per day for one month, then 400 mg per day long-term.

Question 6

Is it safe for me to take amiodarone?

Accepted Answer

amiodarone is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication if you have:  Cardiogenic shock Sick sinus syndrome, second- or third-degree atrioventricular block, bradycardia leading to syncope without a functioning pacemaker Known hypersensitivity to the drug or to any of its components, including iodine

Question 7

amiodarone Common Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Common side effects of amiodarone:  Nausea Vomiting Constipation Poor appetite Abdominal pain Skin irritation from sun, or sunburn Feeling unwell Fatigue Tremor or abnormal movement Poor coordination Difficulty walking Headache Change in vision Abnormal liver tests Lung inflammation or scarring Flushing Dizziness Pins and needles sensation in the skin Lower sex drive Difficulty sleeping

Question 8

amiodarone Serious Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Serious side effects are rare with amiodarone. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.  New or worsening arrhythmia: Chest discomfort, dizziness, or fainting Lung damage: Cough or shortness of breath Liver damage: Nausea, vomiting, right-sided stomach pain, fatigue, poor or no appetite, or yellowing of the skin or eyes Vision problems

Question 9

Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on amiodarone

Accepted Answer

The following medications may interact with amiodarone:  QT Prolonging Drugs (class I and III antiarrhythmics, lithium, certain phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants, certain fluoroquinolone and macrolide antibiotics, azole antifungals, halogenated inhalation anesthetic agents): Increased risk of Torsade de Pointes. Avoid concomitant use Digoxin, beta blockers, verapamil, diltiazem, clonidine, ivabradine: Potentiates the electrophysiologic and hemodynamic effects of amiodarone, resulting in bradycardia, sinus arrest, and AV block. Monitor heart rate CYP450 Inhibitors (grapefruit juice, certain fluoroquinolone and macrolide antibiotics, azole antifungals, cimetidine, certain protease inhibitors): Increased exposure of amiodarone. Avoid concomitant use CYP450 Inducers (St. John’s Wort): Reduced amiodarone serum levels Cyclosporine: Increased plasma levels of cyclosporine have been reported resulting in elevated creatinine, despite reduction of cyclosporine dose. Monitor cyclosporine drug levels and renal function with concomitant use Digoxin: Increased digoxin concentration. Reduce digoxin by half or discontinue. If continued, monitor for evidence of toxicity HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (simvastatin, lovastatin, atorvastatin): Increased plasma concentration of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor Warfarin: Potentiates anticoagulant response and can result in serious or fatal bleeding. Reduce warfarin dose by one-third to one-half and monitor prothrombin times Phenytoin: Increased steady-state levels of phenytoin. Monitor phenytoin levels

Question 10

Who makes amiodarone?

Accepted Answer

Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers

Question 11

Is amiodarone safe in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Available data from post-marketing reports and published case series indicate that amiodarone use in pregnant women may increase the risk for fetal harm. You should talk to your healthcare provider before taking this medication if you are pregnant.

Question 12

What is the brand name for amiodarone?

Accepted Answer

PACERONE

Question 13

How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my amiodarone prescription?

Accepted Answer

After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your amiodarone prescription

Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.

Question 14

How do the NowPatient amiodarone savings programs work?

Accepted Answer

After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.

Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.

Question 15

Are the NowPatient amiodarone savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.

	Rx Advantage Card* for amiodarone	Canadian Prescription Savings* for amiodarone	amiodarone Drug Coupon*	amiodarone Patient Assistance Program*
Insured (federal, state or government)	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured (Commercial or Private)	Available	Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Uninsured	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company

*This is not insurance.

Question 16

Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of amiodarone?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below

	Rx Advantage Card* for amiodarone	Canadian Prescription Savings* for amiodarone	amiodarone Drug Coupon*	amiodarone Patient Assistance Program*
Brand	Yes	Yes	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Generic	Yes	Yes	No	No

*This is not insurance.

Question 17

If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the amiodarone savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?

Accepted Answer

If you are insured with Medicare and the amiodarone drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.

If you are denied Medicaid for amiodarone, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Question 18

I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the amiodarone prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, amiodarone is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed amiodarone for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.

Question 19

I am commercially or privately insured and none of the amiodarone prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.

If you cannot afford your copay contribution, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.

Question 20

If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the amiodarone prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay contributions?

Accepted Answer

If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:

1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for amiodarone

If you are having trouble paying for your amiodarone medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for amiodarone you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:

Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
amiodarone is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers amiodarone
If amiodarone is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications

You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.

2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for amiodarone

If you are having trouble paying for your amiodarone medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for amiodarone you will need to meet the following criteria:

You live in and are being treated in the United States
You are insured and your plan covers amiodarone
If amiodarone is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications

You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.

3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for amiodarone

Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your amiodarone treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for amiodarone you will need to meet the following criteria:

You must be currently insured and have coverage for amiodarone
You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.

You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.