Side effects of long-term amiodarone therapy.

Abstract

Although amiodarone is an effective antiarrhythmic agent, long-term therapy may be associated with unwanted effects. Experience in 140 patients treated over 5 yr is reported. Important effects were seen particularly in the thyroid gland, liver, lung and skin. Some of these effects are dose-dependent and others may be related to the chemical structure and metabolism of amiodarone. Corneal microdeposits were always found when sought but did not cause impairment of visual acuity.