The pathogenesis of amiodarone-induced pigmentation and photosensitivity

Abstract
A new method was used to measure human tissue levels of amiodarone and its major metabolite desethylamiodarone. Amiodarone-pigmented skin has a drug and metabolite concentration 10 times that of nonpigmented skin. Iodine-rich amiodarone and its metabolite were detected in secondary lysosomes by energy dispersive analysis of X-rays. Amiodarone induces a phototoxic reaction with an action spectrum in both the UV-B and UV-A wavelengths.