Rubina Sunderji, Pharm.D., FCSHP
Pharmacotherapeutic Specialist&emdash;Cardiology,
Pharmaceutical Sciences CSU,
Vancouver General Hospital,
Clinical Assistant Professor,
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
University of British Columbia,
Vancouver, BC.
Kenneth Gin, MD, FRCPC
Director, Post Graduate Cardiology,
Training Program, and Clinical Assistant, Professor, Faculty of Medicine,
University of British Columbia,
Director, Coronary Care Unit, and Assistant, Director, Echocardiography Laboratory,
Vancouver General Hospital,
Vancouver, BC.
Amiodarone is a class III antiarrhythmic agent with a unique and complex pharmacological profile. The drug was originally used as an antianginal agent due to its potent coronary vasodilating activity.1 It has subsequently been shown to be effective for both supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. The risk of inducing proarrhythmia is lower than with other antiarrhythmics and, unlike the class I antiarrhythmic agents, it has not been associated with increased mortality.2 However, amiodarone can cause a variety of side effects and close monitoring of the patient is necessary.
Pharmacology
Amiodarone is a di-iodinated benzofuran compound containing 37.3% iodine by weight.
