The effect of amiodarone on the thyroid

Abstract

An anti arrhythmic drug, amiodarone, contains 37% iodine by weight and is structurally similar to the thyroid hormones. The drug inhibits 5'-deiodinase, resulting in increases in serum thyroxine and "reverse" triiodothyronine, whereas the concentration of triiodothyronine in serum is decreased (Kennedy et al. 1989). The study involved determining: a) the total quantities of amiodarone hydrochloride tablets and injections imported for the time interval (1988 -1990). This data was collected from the records kept in the Drug Data and Statistics unit at the Port Medical Office. b) the consumption of amiodarone hydrochloride tablets in community pharmacies for the stated time interval. A questionnaire was circulated to 120 community pharmacists who are presently managing a pharmacy. A total of 56 pharmacists completed and returned the questionnaire. c) the consumption of amiodarone hydrochloride in State Pharmacies during the same time interval. The data was obtained from the stock cards at the Formulary 1 and Formulary 2 stores at the Medical Stores.