Amiodarone Hepatotoxicity Simulating Alcoholic Liver Disease

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Abstract
AMIODARONE, an iodine-containing benzofuran derivative, has been widely available in Europe for over 15 years, but its use in North America is still experimental. The drug has potent antiarrhythmic properties and has proved effective against a variety of supraventricular and ventricular cardiac arrhythmias.1 2 3 4 Its mechanism of action is still uncertain, but pharmacokinetic studies have shown very slow elimination after long-term oral doses; plasma levels of amiodarone and its major metabolite, N-desethyl-amiodarone, are often measurable for weeks or even months after cessation of therapy.4 5 6 7 Although the drug has less cardiotoxicity than most other antiarrhythmic agents,1 , 2 , 8 a variety of noncardiac adverse effects . . .