Amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity

Amiodarone is highly effective in suppressing ventricular and supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. The most serious adverse reaction is pulmonary toxicity. completely understood. Several forms of pulmonary disease occur including interstitial pneumonitis, fibrosis or organizing pneumonia. The incidence is generally lower with lower maintenance doses (less than or equal to 300 mg/d). There are no adequate predictors of pulmonary toxicity due to amiodarone. The diagnosis:of amiodarone-induced pulmonary: toxicity is one of exclusion. Treatment consists primarily of stopping amiodarone application. Corticosteroid therapy can be life-saving for severe cases and for patients in whom withdrawal of amiodarone is not possible.