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Amiodarone [trade name pacerone amongst numerous others]  is a class III antiarrhythmic agent used for various types of cardiac dysrhythmias, both ventricular and atrial. It was discovered in 1961. Despite relatively common side-effects, it is used in arrhythmias that are otherwise difficult to treat with medication.

Side effects

Amiodarone has numerous side effects. Most individuals administered amiodarone on a chronic basis will experience at least one side effect.

Lung

A chest X-ray demonstrating pulmonary fibrosis due to amiodarone.

The most serious reaction that is due to amiodarone is interstitial lung disease. Risk factors include high cumulative dose, more than 400 milligrams per day, duration over two months, increased age, and preexisting pulmonary disease. Some individuals were noted to develop pulmonary fibrosis after a week of treatment, while others did not develop it after years of continuous use. Common practice is to avoid the agent if possible in individuals with decreased lung function.

The most specific test of pulmonary toxicity due to amiodarone is a dramatically decreased DLCO noted on pulmonary function testing.

Thyroid

Induced abnormalities in thyroid function are common. Amiodarone is structurally similar to thyroxine (see below), which contributes to the effects of amiodarone on thyroid function.[citation needed] Both under- and overactivity of the thyroid may occur on amiodarone treatment. Measurement of free thyroxine (FT4) alone may be unreliable in detecting these problems and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) should therefore also be checked every 6 months

• Hypothyroidism (slowing of the thyroid) occurs frequently; in the SAFE trial, which compared amiodarone with other medications for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, biochemical hypothyroidism (as defined by a TSH level of 4.5-10 mU/l) occurred in 25.8% of the amiodarone-treated group as opposed to 6.6% of the control group (taking placebo or sotalol). Overt hypothyroidism (defined as TSH >10 mU/l) occurred at 5.0% compared to 0.3%; most of these (>90%) were detected within the first six months of amiodarone treatment.[9]
• Hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid, due to the Jod-Basedow Effect) can also occur. However, in the SAFE trial, the increased rate of hyperthyroidism (5.3% compared to 2.4%) was not statistically significant. Most hyperthyroid patients (defined as TSH <0.35 mU/l) were asymptomatic

On Jan, 28, 2016: 1,223 people reported to have side effects when taking Pacerone. Among them, 13 people (1.06%) have Hallucination.

Time on Pacerone when people have Hallucination  :

On Jan, 28, 2016: 1,223 people reported to have side effects when taking Pacerone. Among them, 45 people (3.68%) have Death.

Time on Pacerone when people have Death  :