Amiodarone Increases Risk for Cancer Study Finds

Washington, DC: Men taking the antiarrhythmia drug amiodarone (Nexterone, Baxter Healthcare Corp), are at increased risk for cancer, according to a study published online in Cancer. The study also showed that men who had been exposed to the drug extensively, were at particularly high risk.

The retrospective study found that the risk for cancer increased by nearly 20% in men taking amiodarone, compared with the general population, authors Chia-Jen Liu, MD, of National Yang-Ming University Hospital in Yilan, Taiwan and colleagues reported. Further, that risk increased to 46% among men whose cumulative defined daily doses in a year exceeded 180.

The antiarrhythmia drug has been linked to numerous adverse health effects including thyroid dysfunction, pulmonary fibrosis, and skin and thyroid malignancies. The results from this latest study add to those of an earlier meta-analysis which also showed a potential association between amiodarone and cancer.

Although amiodarone was approved in Europe and Canada and was commonly used in the 1980s, the FDA was reluctant to officially approve the use of amiodarone, since initial reports had shown increased incidence of serious pulmonary side effects of the drug. The FDA recognized that it was a dangerous drug and told doctors to be careful about its use.

Legal Help

If you or a loved one has suffered similar damages or injuries, please click the link below and your complaint will be sent to a lawyer who may evaluate your claim at no cost or obligation.
Last updated on Apr-8-13