Xarelyo and multaq: Hello, I'm new to... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Xarelyo and multaq

Batbara profile image
6 Replies

Hello, I'm new to this forum,as I was recently diagnosed with af. I started on xarelyo yesterday, and I'm starting on mutaq Sunday. I was wondering what kinds of experience those that us e these drugs have. Honestly, I'm very nervous about these drugs and side effects. Thanks for taking the time to responed.

Barbara

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Batbara
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BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Xarelto is one of the new oral anticaogulants and Multaq is the trade name for dronadarone which is an anti arrhythmic drug. You should make sure that your doctor gives you regular blood tests to check for liver function as dronadarone has been know to cause some problems with some people. You may also find that you have an upset stomach for a couple of weeks till your body gets used to the new drugs. I assume that these have been prescribed by the hospital as it would be very unusual for a GP to prescribe an antiarrhythmic. To be honest, Multaq was the great white hope for AF treatment a few years ago but seems to have fallen out of favour of late.

There are fact sheets on drugs for AF on the main AF -Association website which I hope you have looked at.

Bob

meadfoot profile image
meadfoot

Hi Barbara

I have been taking Xarelto anticoagulant for 2 years and have not had any side effects other than flashing lights in my eyes when moving from a dark room to light on occasion. Nothing bad though.

Hope the drug works for you. I take in conjunction with another anti arrhythmic - Flecainide, no side effects there either. I am quite drug tolerant. I understand your worries I was the same too but it proved a groundless concern.

Best wishes

Dee

Read the instructions in the box but try not to scare yourself. Literally any reaction anyone has had whilst the drug was in clinical trials will be listed, it doesn't mean you will get all of them or even any of them.

I've been on Dronedarone (multaq) since November 2013, just over 14 months.

I did stop it post 1st ablation and restarted it after 3 weeks because symptoms returned.

On starting (and stopping) I've had sleep disturbances... upset stomach and loss of appetite with the disturbed sleep probably being the worst, but they settle after about 2 weeks.

I have my liver function tested regularly.... initially it is done at 1/3/6 month intervals. No reported problems but I don't wish to be on it forever.

Pdotg profile image
Pdotg

Hello Barbara

I've been on Xaralto for five months, no side effects apart from bruises looking darker than normal,

Batbara profile image
Batbara

Thanks to all that responded.i will do more research since I am new to this whole experience with afib.

Another concern I have is that I read that mutaq also affects the kidneys. I am stage 3 kidney disease, so I'm not so sure this is the right drug for me. I have had 3 episodes in months,and each time it has gone back into sinus rhythm in about 17 hrs. I don't really know if that qualifies me for use of this type of drug. It was a Cardioelectrophisist that prescribed this. I asked him if he looked at my echocardiogram to see if I had any fibrosis due to a autoimmune disease I have, and he Said the hospital never sent it to his office. I find that a little disturbing. Sometimes I feel like Drs. Just rush to prescribe medicine before they have all the information on you. Sorry for all the ranting, but this kind of behavior really makes me distrust some so called professionals.

Thanks again for your responses.

Barbara

Mamamarilyn profile image
Mamamarilyn in reply to Batbara

Hi Barbara, I don't know anything about Mutaq but am on Pradaxa which is another of the new anti-coagulants. When I changed to this the anticoagulant nurse said my kidney and liver function would be checked every 6 weeks at first, then 3 months, then 6. She explained that the NOACS can put strain on those two organs. So, if you're on a NOAC and Mutaq and you have kidney issues anyway, it's important that the health professionals who look after you are fully aware of the situation and that if you're not sure that they have taken all factors into account, you voice your concerns.

Those I see are used to seeing my little notebook at the ready and now ask what questions I have for them!

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