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02/04/2019

Does amiodarone cause skin problems?

Does amiodarone cause skin problems?

The main skin changes induced by amiodarone are phototoxic and photoallergic reactions, as well as hyperpigmentation. In most cases the adverse effects are reversible and disappear after drug withdrawal.

Does amiodarone affect cholesterol levels?

Amiodarone treatment caused significant increases in serum total-cholesterol (baseline 4.4 +/- 0.21 (SE), 6 weeks 5.12 +/- 0.26 mmol/l, P less than 0.01), in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (baseline 2.61 +/- 0.26, 6 weeks 3.36 +/- 0.21 mmol/l, P less than 0.05) and in apolipoprotein B (baseline 1.95 +/- 0.15, 6 …

What are two adverse effects of amiodarone?

More common

  • Cough.
  • dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.
  • fever (slight)
  • numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes.
  • painful breathing.
  • sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.
  • trembling or shaking of the hands.
  • trouble with walking.

Does amiodarone cause itchy skin?

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects.

Does amiodarone cause a rash?

Amiodarone can cause a red rash which resembles a bad sunburn, and this rash can be triggered with prolonged sun exposure. After several years of exposure, amiodarone can cause a bluish discoloration of the skin. Many drugs interact with amiodarone.

What can cause a sudden increase in cholesterol?

Many different factors can contribute to high blood cholesterol, including lifestyle factors like smoking, an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise, as well as having an underlying condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

Why does amiodarone have so many side effects?

Because of its water insolubility, Amiodarone is dissolved in polysorbate-80, a substance that may contribute to side effects of the commercially available compound, i.e., reduction in blood pressure, heart rate, depression of atrioventricular node conduction, and increase in atrial and ventricular refractory periods.

How to know if you have side effects from amiodarone?

More common. 1 Cough. 2 dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. 3 fever (slight) 4 numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes. 5 painful breathing. 6 sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. 7 trembling or shaking of the hands. 8 trouble with walking. 9 unusual and uncontrolled movements of the body. 10 weakness of the arms or legs.

How are amiodarone metabolites removed from the body?

For the most part, amiodarone and its metabolites are removed from the body when amiodarone-containing cells are lost—such as skin cells, or cells from the gastrointestinal tract, which are shed by the millions each day. This, obviously, is a long, slow process.

What kind of pulmonary disease can amiodarone cause?

Amiodarone can cause pulmonary toxicity (hypersensitivity pneumonitis or interstitial/alveolar pneumonitis) that has resulted in clinically manifest disease at rates as high as 17% in some series of patients. Pulmonary toxicity has been fatal about 10% of the time.

Is there a connection between amiodarone and total blindness?

Optic neuropathy and optic neuritis, sometimes progressing to total blindness, have been described in a small number of patients treated with amiodarone. A causal relationship is not well established. Any patient who notes changes in visual acuity or peripheral vision should be referred for ophthalmologic evaluation.