Nrw mef

[lms0006]

Anyone else on Amidrone? Md wants to try it for me. Don't like the possoble side effects. Any comments?

[Victoria55]

Never was offered to me. Had an ablation after several other drug failures, but every Doctor has their own protocol.

[BobD Volunteer]

OK I know this is getting boring but Patients Day again. " Amiodarone doesn't have side effects--- it has effects. " Should be the drug of last resort unless used for short term around DCCV etc. Short term = less than six months I believe..

[lms0006 in reply to BobD]

Thanks for the info.

[Hidden]

If you do take Amiodarone it has to be prescribed by a specialist who can hand over your care to a GP. You must have a baseline liver function test and regular follow up tests to determine if there is a change. From my near-fatal experience:

* the hand-over procedure to Primary Care (your GP) differs slightly between Health Trusts and can be found on the Internet: it was not followed in my case;

* you may get a light non-productive cough: if your breathing is accompanied by crackles you must have a chest x-ray as it could be pulmonary toxicity / cryptogenic organising pneumonia that can be incorrectly diagnosed as community aquired pneumonia and you'll receive incorrect and ineffective treatment;

* if you think you have pulmonary toxicity I can provide you with contact details of the clinicians who treated me and the reference of the published medical paper on my case;

* if your urine turns coffee coloured your liver function is compromised and needs to be assessed urgently.

Besides that, it would probably be a good idea to have your eyes checked for changes and be careful if your skin will be exposed to the sun. It could also be useful to keep a check on thyroid function. I don't tolerate Dronedarone either as it's very similar but without iodine in the constituents.

[seasider18]

Google 'the history of amiodarone'

[Stinky1953]

Have a look at the NICE guidelines on amiodarone .

cks.nice.org.uk/atrial-fibr...

[_Ann_]

Hi Nrw mef my name is Ann . I am 53 years old. I am on Amiolderone. ( spelling probably wrong) Yes there are side affects. But I would rather the side affects than the constant AF that I cant funtion with . At least with the medication I can function. I am back at work. I am waiting for my second ablation. Have had 2 cardoversions. This medication works well for me. Side affects vary for everyone.

[Amcech]

My EP just started me on amiodarone 200 mg daily. It frightens me but I'm hoping it's just temporary as I know it's not a long term fix. I am 62 years old and have had afib for 7 years, 3 failed ablations, and 2 cardioversions that only kept me in NSR for one week. My echo is abnormal, severe left atrial enlargement and an ejection fraction of 40-45%. Thus the need for amiodarone to try and get me in normal rhythm so my heart will strengthen. I'm trying to be optimistic and trust my very knowledgable EP (he's one of the pioneers in the U.S. for ablations). However, it's my body and I'm keeping a very close eye on the possible effects of this nasty drug!

[lms0006 in reply to Amcech]

Good luck. I just hsd my 22 cardioversion back in NSR for now.