Amiodarone Alternatives Compared

View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Amiodarone	Propranolol	Verapamil	Enter another drug to compare

Amiodarone

Propranolol

Verapamil

Prescription only

Amiodarone should ONLY be used in the treatment of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias that have not responded to other treatments. Amiodarone does not appear to increase life expectancy and can... View more

Prescription only

Propranolol is mainly used for blood pressure and angina control; however, it also has a role in migraine prevention and the treatment of essential tremor. Propranolol may cause vivid dreams and is... View more

Prescription only

Verapamil is used to treat angina, arrhythmias, or to lower blood pressure. Constipation is the most common side effect and it may interact with several medicines and grapefruit products. Prescribed... View more

More about Amiodarone

More about Propranolol

More about Verapamil

Ratings & Reviews

Amiodarone has an average rating of 4.9 out of 10 from a total of 95 ratings on Drugs.com. 39% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 48% reported a negative effect.

Propranolol has an average rating of 8.2 out of 10 from a total of 1377 ratings on Drugs.com. 77% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 12% reported a negative effect.

Verapamil has an average rating of 7.6 out of 10 from a total of 183 ratings on Drugs.com. 70% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 16% reported a negative effect.

View all 95 reviews

View all 1377 reviews

View all 183 reviews

Side Effects Experienced by Users Side effects are reported in Drugs.com user reviews and not clinically verified.

Tiredness (14.7%)
Dizziness (10.5%)
Insomnia (10.5%)
Shortness of breath (10.5%)
Weakness (6.3%)
Constipation (5.3%)
Cough (5.3%)

View all Amiodarone side effects

Tremors (10.5%)
Anxiety (6.8%)
Tiredness (6.6%)
Increased heart rate (6.5%)
Dizziness (5.2%)
Sweating (4.9%)
Headaches (4.1%)

View all Propranolol side effects

Dizziness (8.7%)
Constipation (6.6%)
Headaches (6.6%)
Heart palpitations (3.8%)
Anxiety (3.3%)
Migraine (3.3%)
Shortness of breath (3.3%)

View all Verapamil side effects

Drug Class

Group III antiarrhythmics

Generic Availability

Lower cost generic

Pricing and Coupons * Prices are without insurance

Quantity	100 each
Strength	200 mg
Per unit^*	$0.28 - $0.52
Cost^*	$27.86 - $52.44

View all Amiodarone prices

Quantity	50 each
Strength	20 mg
Per unit^*	$0.35
Cost^*	$17.39

View all Propranolol prices

Quantity	2 mL
Strength	2.5 mg/mL
Per unit^*	$9.38
Cost^*	$18.75

View all Verapamil prices

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Dosage Forms

Intravenous solution
Oral tablet

Intravenous solution
Oral capsule, extended release
Oral solution
Oral tablet

Intravenous solution
Oral capsule, extended release
Oral tablet
Oral tablet, extended release

Half Life Drug half-life is the time required for plasma concentration to reduce to half its original value.

240 hours

6.4 hours

12 hours

CSA Schedule ¹ View glossary of CSA terms

Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.

Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.

Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.

Pregnancy Category

Category D Positive evidence of risk

See the full pregnancy warnings document.

Category C Risk cannot be ruled out

See the full pregnancy warnings document.

Category C Risk cannot be ruled out

See the full pregnancy warnings document.

Drug Interactions

A total of 745 drugs are known to interact with Amiodarone:

279 major drug interactions (953 brand and generic names)
428 moderate drug interactions (1617 brand and generic names)
38 minor drug interactions (191 brand and generic names)

A total of 590 drugs are known to interact with Propranolol:

47 major drug interactions (215 brand and generic names)
493 moderate drug interactions (3297 brand and generic names)
50 minor drug interactions (611 brand and generic names)

A total of 661 drugs are known to interact with Verapamil:

129 major drug interactions (405 brand and generic names)
482 moderate drug interactions (3080 brand and generic names)
50 minor drug interactions (121 brand and generic names)

Alcohol/Food/Lifestyle Interactions

Amiodarone may be taken with or without food but should be taken at the same way each time. You... View more

Food can enhance the levels of propranolol in your body. You shoud take propranolol at the same... View more

You may take verapamil with or without food, but take it the same way every time. You should avoid... View more
Ask your doctor before using verapamil together with alcohol. Verapamil may increase the blood... View more

Disease Interactions

First Approval Date

December 24, 1985

November 13, 1967

March 08, 1982

WADA Class View classifications

N/A

P1 - Beta-Blockers

N/A

More Information

Patient Resources

Verapamil uses

Professional Resources

¹ The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) schedule information displayed applies to substances regulated under federal law. There may be variations in CSA schedules between individual states.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Amiodarone Alternatives Compared

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