Q: Can Amiodarone be given to a patient with documented allergy to shellfish or contrast media due to its iodine content?


Answer: Yes - usually its safe


Documented allergies to contrast media or shellfish should not imply that a patient is allergic to iodine. Reactions to contrast media are due to the high osmolar or ionic content of the dye. The primary allergen in shellfish is tropomyosin. No known association exists between amiodarone and reactions to contrast media or shellfish. Unless until true allergy exist specifically for iodine, Amiodarone is usually a very safe medicine from this perspective.