What is the toxicity of amiodarone?

The three main complications of long-term amiodarone use are pulmonary toxicity, thyroid disease and liver toxicity. Pulmonary toxicity progresses slowly in the setting of amiodarone use, may be subtle initially and is the most common cause of death related to amiodarone therapy.

What is the most concerning toxicity of amiodarone?

What Is Amiodarone Lung Toxicity?

• The most dangerous type of amiodarone lung toxicity is a sudden, life-threatening, diffuse lung problem called acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
• The most common form of amiodarone lung toxicity is a chronic, diffuse lung problem called interstitial pneumonitis (IP).

What is a potential complication with the use of amiodarone?

FDA warning: Serious side effects warning Amiodarone should only be used if you have a life threatening arrhythmia or irregular heart rate. This medication has the risk of serious side effects. These include serious lung problems, liver problems, and a worsening of your irregular heart rate.

What are adverse effects of amiodarone?

More common

• Cough.
• dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.
• fever (slight)
• numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes.
• painful breathing.
• sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.
• trembling or shaking of the hands.
• trouble with walking.

How long should you stay on amiodarone?

This medication must be taken regularly for one to three weeks before a response is seen and for several months before the full effect occurs. Due to the drug’s long half-life, it will remain in your body for up to two months. How should it be used? Amiodarone comes in tablets.

How long is it safe to stay on amiodarone?

This meta-analysis shows that use of amiodarone, as part of a strategy to achieve sinus rhythm, in the treatment of persistent AF (>30 days’ duration) appears to be safe and effective. However, this strategy was associated with a significant incidence of withdrawal of treatment because of adverse effects.

Is there a lawsuit against amiodarone?

Personal injury lawsuits have been filed against Zydus and Wyeth on behalf of patients who were seriously or fatally injured after taking Amiodarone. A class action lawsuit was also filed against Wyeth and other companies that manufactured Amiodarone.

Is amiodarone hard on the kidneys?

Amiodarone is well known for a myriad of side effects, some severe and life-threatening, including pulmonary toxicity, hepatotoxicity, and thyrotoxicity. One of the organs which could be affected by Amiodarone is Kidney, which, fortunately, is not a common occurrence.

How long can you safely take amiodarone?

It is important that you take this medication exactly as your doctor has prescribed. Never stop taking it without consulting your doctor. This medication must be taken regularly for one to three weeks before a response is seen and for several months before the full effect occurs.

What can you take instead of amiodarone?

Dronedarone has been viewed as a potential therapeutic alternative for amiodarone because of a lower risk for pulmonary, thyroid, and dermatologic adverse effects. Compared with amiodarone, dronedarone has poor bioavailability and a shorter terminal disposition half-life, which dictates a twice-daily dosing regimen.