The effects of amiodarone on the respiration of isolated mouse liver mitochondria have been determined. Amiodarone (200 microM) had a biphasic effect on state 4 respiration supported by either glutamate plus malate or succinate. Initially, the respiratory rate was increased. This stimulatory effect was not prevented by oligomycin (an inhibitor of ATP synthase). It was associated with marked accumulation of amiodarone in the mitochondria, and with collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential. This initial uncoupling effect was followed by a progressive decrease in the state 4 respiration rate, leading eventually to marked inhibition. Preincubation for 5 min with amiodarone (200 microM) also decreased markedly ADP-stimulated (state 3) respiration, ATP production and dinitrophenol-stimulated (uncoupled) respiration supported by glutamate plus malate (which donate electrons to complex I), and respiration supported by succinate (which donate electrons to complex II), but did not affect respiration supported by duroquinol (donating electrons to complex III) or by ascorbate plus N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (donating electrons to cytochrome c). Preincubation with amiodarone (150-200 microM) decreased markedly respiration mediated by fatty acids of various chain length and respiration mediated by citrate, a tricarboxylic acid cycle substrate. We conclude that amiodarone has a dual effect on mitochondrial respiration. The initial uncoupling effect is probably due to the entry of protonated amiodarone, releasing a proton in the matrix. Accumulation of amiodarone soon leads to inhibition of the respiratory chain at the levels of complex I and complex II and to decreased ATP formation.