Amiodarone Toxicity

My 85 year old father has been on Amiodarone for about 6 months. He currently is being treated for pneumonia with azithromycin. After a week he is no better and his O2 sats remain around 80-85. Could he have Amiodarone toxicity? Should he stop the Amiodarone? How can you tell the difference between the two?

[cindy707]

I think the most important advise anyone can give you is to confer w. your dads doctor about your concerns here and definately do not stop his meds without the okay of his attending physcian.  Alot depends on your dads medical hx. and what other meds he is on and no meds that are intended for the heart are to be stopped suddenly because he could move into a situation called rebound where the effects physically that he experienced before treatment and meds will come back X3 and that can be deadly.  If it were my dad i would go onto the amiodarone manufacturers site and read it completely so that you will be fully informed .  The sats may be low because of the pneumonia which would make perfect sense to me since the lung capacity is so effected by the illness.  I always say if in doubt call the doc and enlighten them on what is happening since they are the specialists and we aren't.  Good luck w. your dad tho....