[Amiodarone and the thyroid]

Arq Bras Endocrinol Metabol. 2004 Feb;48(1):176-82. doi: 10.1590/s0004-27302004000100020. Epub 2004 Jun 1.
[Article in Portuguese]

Abstract

Amiodarone is an iodine-rich drug widely used for the management of cardiac arrhythmias. During long-term amiodarone therapy drug toxicity may occur and a substantial proportion of amiodarone-treated patients develop either hypothyroidism or thyrotoxicosis. Several mechanisms are involved in amiodarone-induced thyroid dysfunction: defective thyroid auto-regulatory mechanism in presence of excessive iodine offer, immunological factors and cytotoxicity. Approximately 50% of patients taking amiodarone present abnormal thyroid function. Therefore, for adequate clinical follow up of these patients, it is critical a careful monitoring of thyroid hormones and TSH, before and during treatment.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amiodarone / adverse effects*
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Thyrotoxicosis / chemically induced*

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Amiodarone