How will the son of amiodarone — dronedarone — fit into the family of antiarrhythmic drugs?
Dear Readers, Amiodarone is arguably the most effective antiarrhythmic available. Although it has only been approved for use by the FDA to treat life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, it is commonly used off-label for atrial fibrillation (AF). In clinical trials, amiodarone has been shown to be about twice as effective in the prevention of recurrent AF as sotalol and propafenone, and is considered appropriate therapy for many patients with AF based on the 2006 ACC/AHA/ESC Guidelines. However, its limitations are legendary. Amiodarone can cause organ toxicity, most commonly affecting the thyroid, liver, lungs, and eyes. The toxicity of amiodarone is considered such a problem, that in 2005 the FDA issued a notice that a medication guide must be dispensed with every prescription for amiodarone. Drug interactions with amiodarone pose an additional risk. Concerns related to the use of amiodarone are well founded. However, the risks have become so notorious that it is often difficult to p
