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In the U.S.—

Inamrinone

• Cardiotonic

Inamrinone ( in-AM-rih-nohn) is used to treat heart failure. Inamrinone helps your heart to work better. This medicine may be used only if other treatments have not worked for you.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:

Parenteral
• Injection (U.S.)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For inamrinone, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to inamrinone or bisulfites. Also tell your healthcare professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Inamrinone has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that inamrinone causes birth defects. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or may become pregnant

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether inamrinone passes into human breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children—This medicine has been tested in children and, in effective doses, has not been shown to cause specific problems.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of inamrinone in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of inamrinone. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Blood vessel disease or
• Heart disease—Inamrinone may make these conditions worse

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease—Inamrinone may make liver problems worse; your doctor may need to change your dose

Dosing—

The dose of inamrinone will be different for different patients.

• For injection dosage form:
  • For congestive heart failure:
    • Adults—Dose is based on your weight and must be determined by your doctor.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Less common
  • Dizziness;  irregular heartbeat;  low blood pressure 
  
  

• Rare
  • Black, sticky stools;  blood in urine or stools;  burning at site of injection;  chest pain or discomfort;  loss of appetite ;  pinpoint red spots on skin;  unusual bleeding or bruising;  weight loss;  yellow eyes or skin 
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome.

• Less common
  • Fever;  nausea or vomiting;  stomach pain 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Developed: 05/06/2002