Amiodarone is used to treat ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Amiodarone is for use only in treating life-threatening heart rhythm disorders. Amiodarone can cause dangerous side effects on your heart, liver, lungs, or vision. Amiodarone is used to treat and prevent certain types of ventricular arrhythmias (a certain type of abnormal heart rhythm) and unstable tachycardia (fast hear rate). Amiodarone is a medication that prevents and treats an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). It works by stabilizing your heart’s rhythm. Amiodarone is a medication used to treat irregular heart rhythms, or arrhythmias, belonging to the class III group of antiarrhythmic drugs, also known as potassium channel blockers. Amiodarone can be given orally or by injection to prevent or manage serious medical conditions such as cardiac arrest and arrhythmias. Sign up today to receive the latest news and updates from UpToDate. © 2026 UpToDate, Inc. and/or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved. Amiodarone is used to treat certain types of serious (possibly fatal) irregular heartbeat (such as persistent ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia). It is used to restore normal heart rhythm and maintain a regular, steady heartbeat. Amiodarone is known as an anti-arrhythmic drug. What is amiodarone used for? Amiodarone is commonly used to prevent and treat certain types of serious (and sometimes life-threatening) arrhythmias called ventricular fibrillation and. Amiodarone is used to treat life-threatening heart rhythm problems called ventricular arrhythmias. This medicine is used in patients who have already been treated with other medicines that did not work well. Amiodarone belongs to the group of medicines known as antiarrhythmics. Amiodarone is commonly used to treat different types of abnormal heart rhythms, such as atrial arrhythmias (supraventricular arrhythmias) and ventricular arrhythmias. [13] Easy-to-read patient tips for amiodarone covering how it works, benefits, risks, and best practices.