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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Influences survival. There is a wide variation in the way people eliminate amiodarone from their bodies and finding the right dosage of amiodarone for each individual may take some time. Some people may require blood level monitoring. It may be difficult to assess the effectiveness of amiodarone without further medical testing. Significant, potentially fatal toxicities and side effects associated with amiodarone usage include pneumonitis (inflammation of the alveoli in the lungs). In one study, this affected 10-17% of participants prescribed 400 mg/day of amiodarone. Reports indicate that pulmonary (lung) toxicity is fatal in 1 in 10 people.May also cause liver damage. This is usually mild but occasionally may be fatal.Not suitable for people with certain heart conditions (cardiogenic shock, AV block) and several other medical conditions. Avoid during pregnancy. Several fetal adverse effects have been associated with amiodarone such as hyper and hypothyroidism, neonatal bradycardia, QT prolongation, and neurodevelopmental abnormalities. Amiodarone and its metabolite DEA crosses into breastmilk and there have been cases of bradycardia and hypothyroidism in infants. Breastfeeding is not recommended. Amiodarone may also reduce male and female fertility.May interact with numerous drugs including antivirals, antidepressants, other heart medications, and warfarin. For a full list of interactions see here. Note: In general, seniors or children, people with certain medical conditions (such as liver or kidney problems, heart disease, diabetes, seizures) or people who take other medications are more at risk of developing a wider range of side effects. View complete list of side effects 4. Bottom Line 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 be difficult to manage, with a high risk of potentially fatal toxicities. Every effort should be made to use alternative agents first.
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