Long-term amiodarone therapy raises serum cholesterol.

Serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were measured in 12 patients before and 3.6 and 9 months after treatment with amiodarone. In addition, we monitored serum T4, T3, reverse T3 and TSH levels. Amiodarone and its desethyl metabolite levels were measured on each occasion. Serum total cholesterol and T4 levels rose from 5.95 mmol/l, and 102.7 mmol/l respectively at baseline to 6.95 and 115.8 at 6 months and reverse T3 increased at 3, 6 and 9 months from baseline. Serum triglycerides did not change. No relationship existed between cholesterol, T4 and T3 and amiodarone (or its metabolite) levels nor between cholesterol and thyroid hormone levels. These data demonstrate that amiodarone therapy is associated with an elevation in serum cholesterol. This may have clinical implications in view of the current widespread use of the drug.