Amiodarone keratopathy. Correlation to dosage and duration.
Amiodarone hydrochloride, a benzofurane derivative used for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, is known to cause a verticillate epithelial keratopathy, which has been classified into three stages. Patients receiving low dosages of 100 to 200 mg of amiodarone daily retain clear corneas or show stage 1 changes only, regardless of duration of treatment or total amount of substance ingested. Patients receiving higher dosages of 400 to 1,400 mg/day show stage 2 and 3 changes, depending on duration of treatment. This keratopathy progresses, even with reduced dosage; however, complete regression occurs once administration of medication is discontinued.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000638:Amiodarone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans
D001572:Benzofurans; D000638:Amiodarone