Cardiovascular: amiodarone toxicity: practice question

A Pharmacology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pharmacology · Cardiovascular: amiodarone toxicity

Sample item

A man on amiodarone for three years complains of progressive breathlessness and dry cough, and chest imaging shows bilateral infiltrates. His TSH is also abnormal. Which statement is correct?

AAmiodarone causes only hyperthyroidismBIts half-life is under 24 hoursCPulmonary toxicity is impossible at low dosesDAmiodarone can cause pulmonary fibrosis and both hypo- and hyperthyroidism, and it is a high-iodine, long half-life drug

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Amiodarone can cause pulmonary fibrosis and both hypo- and hyperthyroidism, and it is a high-iodine, long half-life drug

Amiodarone toxicity includes pulmonary fibrosis, thyroid dysfunction because of iodine content and inhibition of deiodination, corneal microdeposits, hepatitis, photosensitivity and blue-grey skin. Its half-life extends over weeks, so adverse effects may persist after stopping.

Option by option

A. Amiodarone causes only hyperthyroidism
Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism occur.
B. Its half-life is under 24 hours
The half-life is several weeks.
C. Pulmonary toxicity is impossible at low doses
Pulmonary toxicity can occur even at lower doses.
D. Amiodarone can cause pulmonary fibrosis and both hypo- and hyperthyroidism, and it is a high-iodine, long half-life drug (correct)
Correct. This is the characteristic toxicity profile.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is D, Amiodarone can cause pulmonary fibrosis and both hypo- and hyperthyroidism, and it is a high-iodine, long half-life drug. Amiodarone toxicity includes pulmonary fibrosis, thyroid dysfunction because of iodine content and inhibition of deiodination, corneal microdeposits, hepatitis, photosensitivity and blue-grey skin.

Why is "Amiodarone causes only hyperthyroidism" not the answer?

Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism occur.

Why is "Its half-life is under 24 hours" not the answer?

The half-life is several weeks.

Why is "Pulmonary toxicity is impossible at low doses" not the answer?

Pulmonary toxicity can occur even at lower doses.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiovascular: amiodarone toxicity in Pharmacology. Its half-life extends over weeks, so adverse effects may persist after stopping.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Cardiovascular: amiodarone toxicity?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.