Description
Amiodarone is a class III anti-arrhythmic that inhibits Na+ channels, voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, voltage-gated K+ channels, and α/β-adrenergic receptors. Amiodarone prolongs the duration of the action potential, increasing the length of the refractory period; it is clinically used to treat ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. Amiodarone also exhibits antiviral activity, inhibiting cell entry by filovirus, guanarito virus, and hepatitis C. Additionally, this compound acts as a functional inhibitor of acid sphingomyelinase (FIASMA).
References
Zoerner F, Semenas E. Resuscitation with amiodarone increases survival after hemorrhage and ventricular fibrillation in pigs. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2014 Jun;76(6):1402-8. PMID: 24854308.
Gehring G, Rohrmann K, Atenchong N, et al. The clinically approved drugs amiodarone, dronedarone and verapamil inhibit filovirus cell entry. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2014 Apr 7. [Epub ahead of print]. PMID: 24710028.
Cheng YL, Lan KH, Lee WP, et al. Amiodarone inhibits the entry and assembly steps of hepatitis C virus life cycle. Clin Sci (Lond). 2013 Nov;125(9):439-48. PMID: 23659500.
