Pneumonitis with pleural and pericardial effusion and neuropathy during amiodarone therapy.
A patient with sinuatrial disease and implanted pacemaker was treated with amiodarone (maximum dose 1000 mg, maintenance dose 800 mg daily) for 10 months, for control of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. He developed pneumonitis, pleural and pericardial effusions, and a predominantly proximal motor neuropathy. Immediate but gradual improvement followed withdrawal of amiodarone and treatment with prednisolone. Review of this and previously reported cases indicates the need for early diagnosis of amiodarone pneumonitis, immediate withdrawal of amiodarone, and prompt but continued steroid therapy to ensure full recovery.
D000328:Adult; D000638:Amiodarone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy; D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000188:drug therapy; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000187:drug effects; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011017:Pneumonia, Lipid / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000188:drug therapy*
D001572:Benzofurans; D000638:Amiodarone