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bemildred

(90,061 posts)
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 10:48 AM Apr 2013

Amiodarone Linked to Cancer Risk in Men

The risk of cancer was increased in men taking the antiarrhythmia drug amiodarone (Nexterone), particularly in those with extensive exposure to the drug, a retrospective study found.

Among men taking amiodarone, the risk for any cancer rose by almost 20% compared with the general population, with a standardized incidence ratio of 1.18 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.36, P=0.022), according to Chia-Jen Liu, MD, of National Yang-Ming University Hospital in Yilan, Taiwan, and colleagues.

And for men whose cumulative defined daily doses in a year exceeded 180, the risk was 46% higher (SIR 1.46, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.89, P=0.008), the researchers reported online in Cancer.

Amiodarone has been associated with a number of potentially serious adverse events, including thyroid dysfunction, pulmonary fibrosis, and skin and thyroid malignancies, and a meta-analysis suggested a possible cancer link.

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Cardiology/Arrhythmias/38301

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Amiodarone Linked to Cancer Risk in Men (Original Post) bemildred Apr 2013 OP
I never saw that one used much, actually Warpy Apr 2013 #1
Seemed to be a well-done study. bemildred Apr 2013 #2
Not huge but enough that you'd want to avoid it Warpy Apr 2013 #3
I hiked 15 miles at 5000 feet a couple days ago. (I'm 67.) 6 hours. bemildred Apr 2013 #4
I've generally only seen it give in cardiac codes, or in ICU settings Heddi Apr 2013 #6
When I first saw a cardiologist for my arrhythmia, murielm99 Apr 2013 #5

Warpy

(110,900 posts)
1. I never saw that one used much, actually
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 10:55 AM
Apr 2013

It takes weeks to reach its optimum effect and most patients with life threatening dysrhythmias can't wait that long. It's also excreted very slowly, meaning anyone who reacted badly to it had weeks to wait until it was out of the system.

I'm not surprised that it's being linked to malignancies, to tell the truth. It's always been known to be pretty ugly drug and used only as a last ditch measure in people whose arrhythmias were resistant to better, safer drugs.

bemildred

(90,061 posts)
2. Seemed to be a well-done study.
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 11:03 AM
Apr 2013

Although the difference in "risk" is not that huge.

I just thought anybody taking it would like to know.

I've found Chromium Picolinate helpful with that (arrythmias).

Warpy

(110,900 posts)
3. Not huge but enough that you'd want to avoid it
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 11:08 AM
Apr 2013

in favor of safer drugs like lanoxin, calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, and a few heavy duty drugs like propafenone for life threatening ventricular dysrhythmias that didn't respond to the first line drugs.

Relying on nutritional supplements to treat cardiac dysrhthmias is a quick way to get into a funeral home feet first.

bemildred

(90,061 posts)
4. I hiked 15 miles at 5000 feet a couple days ago. (I'm 67.) 6 hours.
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 11:22 AM
Apr 2013

If I happened to keel over up there, that would suit me fine.

But as it happened, a couple years ago I noticed I was skipping beats, and my older half-brother, who DOES have circulatory issues, suggested Chromium, and Damn! if it didn't make it go away.

I'm not suggesting supplements as a substitute for medical care; however if you fail to see your body gets the proper nutrients, then you WILL need medical care.

I have lost 50 lbs. over the last couple years, and I have had to learn to pay much more attention to nutrition, because i eat a lot less.

Heddi

(18,312 posts)
6. I've generally only seen it give in cardiac codes, or in ICU settings
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 04:20 PM
Apr 2013

via IV drip. When I last took ACLS (a few months ago), I think the half life is ridiculously long, 58 days,... something like that, so once you give one dose in a code, you're pretty much done with using Amio again, because if it doesn't work then it's not going to work until it's out of the patient's system.

murielm99

(30,656 posts)
5. When I first saw a cardiologist for my arrhythmia,
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 12:38 PM
Apr 2013

he already KNEW that I had Grave's Disease, a thyroid disorder. He gave me amiodarone anyway. My endocrinologist called him and had me discontinue the drug. It took forever to leave my system.

I still have arrhythmia. I just live with it. I take propanolol and diltiazem, plus a blood thinner. I am very careful about my diet, and I work out.

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