Study Of Toxicity Of Amiodarone-Anti-Arrhythmic Drug-In Therapeutic Doses On Thyroid And Lung Functions In A Period Of Six Months

Abstract

Amiodarone (cordarone) is an iodinated benzofuran derivative having two iodine atoms with structural similarity to thyroxine and triiodothyronine. The drug was originally developed as a coronary vasodilator for the treatment of angina, now a potent powerful and widely used anti• arrhythmic agent. Amiodarone is classified as class III antiarrhythmic drug. This group prolong the action potential in all cardiac tissues and are used in different types of cardiac arrhythmia's. Amiodarone is widely used clinically due to its considerable promise as a treatment to reduce sudden cardiac death, refractory to other conventional therapies and drugs. Although the therapeutic efficacy of amiodarone bas been established, its wide usage should be guided by its toxicological profile. This includes pulmonary toxicity as a fonn of interstitial fibrosis, thyroid function abnonnalities as hypo/hyperthyroidism, hepatic and renal dysfunction, skin reactions, ocular deposits in the cornea as well as peripheral neuropathy. These toxic effects of amiodarone are present almost in therapeutic doses of the drug.