title: Persistent severe amiodarone-induced photosensitivity.
abstract: Amiodarone, a benzofuran derivative, has been used therapeutically as an antiarrhythmic and coronary vasodilator in Europe since 1964. One of its commoner side effects is cutaneous photosensitivity; more rarely, after ingestion of the drug for around 12 months, a slate-grey or violaceous discoloration of sun-exposed sites may gradually develop. Both of these side effects usually resolve within 2 years of discontinuation of the drug. We now present a woman who developed both photosensitivity and a slate-grey discoloration whilst taking amiodarone; on discontinuation of the drug, the dyspigmentation gradually resolved, but the photosensitivity has persisted and the patient remains symptomatic more than 17 years later.
authors.affiliation: Photobiology Unit, St John's Institute of Dermatology, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK. Sami.yones@kcl.ac.uk
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Yones
authors.forename: N B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: O'Donoghue
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: H du p
authors.initials: Hdu P
authors.lastname: Menagé
authors.forename: J L M
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hawk
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000638:Amiodarone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000638:Amiodarone