Amiodarone: reminder of risks of treatment and need for patient monitoring and supervision
Summary
Amiodarone has been associated with serious and potentially life-threatening side effects, particularly of the lung, liver, and thyroid gland. We remind healthcare professionals that patients should be supervised and reviewed regularly during treatment. Lung problems may have slow onset but then progress rapidly. Computerised tomography scans may help to confirm a suspected diagnosis of pulmonary toxicity.
Amiodarone has been associated with serious and potentially life-threatening side effects, particularly of the lung, liver, and thyroid gland. We remind healthcare professionals that patients should be supervised and reviewed regularly during treatment. Lung problems may have slow onset but then progress rapidly. Computerised tomography scans may help to confirm a suspected diagnosis of pulmonary toxicity.