What are the long term adverse effects of amiodarone?

What are the long term adverse effects of amiodarone?

Amiodarone is a medicine used to treat abnormal heart rhythms. It is an effective medication for a wide range of abnormal rhythms of the heart. As it is an iodine containing molecule, it can cause abnormalities of the thyroid gland like inflammation of thyroid gland (thyroiditis), decreased function of the thyroid (hypothyroidism) or increased function of the thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Amiodarone can cause microdeposits in the cornea of the eye, which can be detected only by a specialized equipment known as slit lamp. As the deposits usually occur in the periphery of the cornea, it does not cause visual impairment.

Long term usage of amiodarone in higher doses can also damage the lungs by pulmonary fibrosis. Liver function abnormalities can also occur with amiodarone rarely. Most of these adverse effects are unlikely with lower doses. Of the adverse effects, thyroid dysfunction may be the most commonly documented one while lung fibrosis is probably the most serious one.