Duration of Amiodorone side effects

[pamcronrath]

my husband was on amiodorone for about 5 days post ablation and we stopped because of terrible side effects--he now has too slow of a heart rate (about 50) which is thought to still be effects of amiodorone. He also has swollen lower legs (which i have seen reported by some of you)--wondering how long it has taken to get rid of amiodorone symptoms --we are a month out now

[BobD Volunteer]

Interesting in that at Patients Day this year one doctor told us that Amiodarone does not have side effects. It has effects! Could be some time yet but do ask you doctor as there are other things it could be.

[bisop]

hi pam...I was started on Amiodarone for on Sept. 25th and after 8 days and my doc had me stop it abruptly regarding horrendous side effects and he substituted it on Oct. 17th with 0.25 digoxin...I was also on 5 mg bisoprolol twice daily. It has now been well over a month since stopping the amiodarone and just the last couple of days my lower legs, ankles feet and hands are swollen and I have been getting horrendous cramps in them....amiodarone has a very long half life so I really don't know what to expect regarding symptoms as this whole medicine deal has me going crazy....so tired of all these drugs and the terrible effects from them....scheduled for another ablation but the waiting list is 10 months. Wish all this would just go away. Good luck with your husband...would like to know when the leg swelling subsides and also does he get cramps with this swelling?

[pamcronrath in reply to bisop]

husband now 40 days post stopping amio--and heart rate past few days slowing climbing back up to a tolerable mid 60's..and he is starting to be able to walk without getting short of breath---he did not have cramping in lower legs--and the swelling seems to be going down some..pam

[Hidden]

It's stored at cellular level and I recall reading that the half-life was in months. My creatine level has been borderline high even though the dronedrone (same family as amiodarone) and an amiodarone IV were short term years ago.