Warning for atrial fibrillation patients taking amiodarone and certain cholesterol medications

August 9, 2008 9:12 AM CT

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned doctors that combining certain cholesterol and atrial fibrillation medications can result in a rare, and sometimes fatal, muscle wasting disorder.

Patients taking amiodarone (Cordaroneâ, Paceroneâ) should not receive more than 20 milligrams per day of simvastatin, the active ingredient in cholesterol medications Zocorâ, Simcorâ, and Vytorinâ.

If you’re on amiodarone and are taking more than 20 milligrams per day of Zocorâ, Simcorâ, or Vytorinâ, please check with your doctor right away.

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