Frequent neurologic toxicity associated with amiodarone therapy.
Fifty-four consecutive patients were treated with amiodarone for symptomatic ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation refractory to treatment with conventional antiarrhythmic drugs. A reversible neurologic syndrome of tremor, ataxia, and occasionally peripheral neuropathy without nystagmus, dizziness, encephalopathy, or long-tract signs developed in 54% of the patients and was the most common reason for altering or discontinuing drug therapy. Neurologic side effects improved or resolved within 2 days to 4 weeks of decreasing or discontinuing amiodarone. Frequent neurologic toxicity is a hitherto undescribed complication of amiodarone therapy. Wider recognition of this syndrome will avoid unnecessary and costly diagnostic evaluation.
D000638:Amiodarone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001259:Ataxia / Q000139:chemically induced; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D014202:Tremor / Q000139:chemically induced
D001572:Benzofurans; D000638:Amiodarone