CodeBlue
Drug Reference

Rhythm

Amiodarone

Class III antiarrhythmic (K⁺ channel blocker, with I/II/IV effects)

Cardiac arrestAdult300 mg IV/IO push; second dose 150 mgPeds5 mg/kg bolus; may repeat up to 15 mg/kg total
Tachycardia with pulseAdult150 mg IV over 10 min; repeat as needed; then 1 mg/min × 6 h, 0.5 mg/min × 18 h (max 2.2 g/24 h)Peds5 mg/kg over 20–60 min (max 300 mg)

Indications

  • VF / pVT refractory to shocks
  • Stable wide-complex tachycardia
  • AFib rate control in heart failure

Contraindications & cautions

  • Cardiogenic shock (non-arrest)
  • Severe sinus node dysfunction or 2nd/3rd degree block without pacemaker
  • Iodine hypersensitivity (relative)

Key pearls

  • Hypotension and bradycardia with rapid infusion
  • Prolongs QT; avoid combining with procainamide
  • Long-term: thyroid, pulmonary, hepatic, ocular toxicity

Used in

Adult Cardiac Arrest Adult Tachycardia with a Pulse Pediatric Cardiac Arrest Pediatric Tachycardia AFib with RVR