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Amiodarone

Drug Information

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

Common brand names:

Cordarone, Pacerone

Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, & Foods

What Are Nutrient Interactions

Types of interactions: Beneficial Adverse Check

Replenish Depleted Nutrients

none

Reduce Side Effects

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.

Support Medicine

none

Reduces Effectiveness

none

Potential Negative Interaction

Grapefruit

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.
Pomegranate

Pomegranate juice has been shown to inhibit the same enzyme that is inhibited by grapefruit juice.³ ^{, 4} The degree of inhibition is about the same for each of these juices. Therefore, it would be reasonable to expect that pomegranate juice might interact with amiodarone in the same way that grapefruit juice does.

The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Explanation Required

none

The Drug-Nutrient Interactions table may not include every possible interaction. Taking medicines with meals, on an empty stomach, or with alcohol may influence their effects. For details, refer to the manufacturers’ package information as these are not covered in this table. If you take medications, always discuss the potential risks and benefits of adding a new supplement with your doctor or pharmacist.

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.

3. Sorokin AV, Duncan B, Panetta R, Thompson PD. Rhabdomyolysis associated with pomegranate juice consumption. Am J Cardiol 2006;98:705–6.

4. Summers KM. Potential drug-food interactions with pomegranate juice. Ann Pharmacother 2006;40:1472–3.

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Last Review: 02-05-2013

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