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Amiodarone-induced musical hallucinations
Waldemar Elikowski1, Małgorzata Małek-Elikowska2, Natalia Fertała1
1Department of Internal Medicine, Józef Struś Hospital, Poznań, Poland.
Polski Merkuriusz Lekarski : Organ Polskiego Towarzystwa Lekarskiego
|November 20, 2021
Summary
A case report details musical hallucinations (MHs), a type of auditory hallucination, experienced by a patient overdosing on amiodarone. The symptoms resolved after discontinuing the medication, suggesting a link between amiodarone and MHs.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Musical hallucinations (MHs) are rare auditory hallucinations (AHs) involving the perception of music without an external source.
- MHs are associated with hearing loss, neurological/psychiatric conditions, and adverse drug reactions.
Observation:
- A 77-year-old male with heart failure and hearing loss experienced MHs after overdosing on amiodarone.
- The patient reported hearing music and songs after taking 12-18 pills (200 mg each) over 2-3 days.
Findings:
- MHs ceased the day after amiodarone discontinuation.
- A single episode recurred upon restarting amiodarone at a lower dose, resolving completely after cessation.
- This is the first reported case of amiodarone-induced MHs.
Implications:
- Amiodarone, a medication rarely causing neurological side effects, may induce musical hallucinations.
- This case expands the known adverse effects of amiodarone.
- Clinicians should consider amiodarone when evaluating patients with new-onset musical hallucinations.
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