Hi

[fuerte100]

I am new to this site. I had been taking Slozem 240mg for quite a while, and when on holiday was taken into hospital and was give Amiodarone 200mg tablets. When i saw my GP on return to UK, they do not like to use this medication, but will still prescribe it till i see Cardiologist. Anybody else have any problems with this drug???

[BobD Volunteer]

Under European Society of Cardiology protocol Amiodarone is the drug of last resort. It is pretty toxic and can cause several unpleasant side effects so is not advisable long term.

Slozem (diltiezem) is a calcium channel blocker which may help keep your heart rate down during AF events but it is not an anti arrhythmic drug like Amiodarone.

You really need to see an expert in arrhythmias (EP) rather than your GP or a general cardiologist if you have atrial fibrillation and are not being adequately treated for it.

Read all you can from A F Association website so you are prepared for your visit and can discuss your case from some knowledge.

[Thomas45]

BobD always gives sound advice. I was put om Amiodarone when I was admitted to hospital after going to A+E about 13 years ago. It didn't suit me, causing chest pains and feelings of panic, and my attacks of AF only reduced marginally. As soon as I saw a heart specialist he took me off it and prescribed me Flecainide instead, which didn't give me any side effects. However there is no standard human body. What medicine is fine for one person may cause another side effects. There's lots of useful information about AF , including a booklet on medecines in the Patient's section of the Atrial Fibrillation Association website: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa/uk

[Hidden]

Loads and loads of problems with Amiodorone, getting sun burn inside the house even though I was wearing factor 50+ , breathlessness, red welts on body, extreme exhaustion, pretty sure it messed up my eyesight and it also damaged my thyroid.

I'll never take it again , they keep trying to use it to do a chemical cardioversion when I go into AF but I'll not allow it