Propafenone

[Deleonlulu]

I've been taking propafenone for a week now 150mg twice a day for constant extrasystole (18000 in 24 hours according to my holter results), it's been a nightmare. I was already taking 50 mg of Metoprolol due to the same issues during pregnancy (200mg while pregnant and lowered to 50mg as soon as baby was born 4 monts ago), everything was fine until last week when arrythmia restarted. Cardiologist increased dose today to 150mg 3 times a day, but every time I take it I feel weird and tired, side effects have given me anxiety and have gone to the ER 3 times in 5 days and instead of something going wrong, my EKG seems to be improving.

Has someone experienced uncomfortable side effects? Will they eventually fade out? Anxiety is making me crazy.

[Hidden]

I took Propafenone 150mgs three a day for 2 months, with no side effects apart from the commonly reported metallic taste. That did not go away.

You must be having a tough time. It sounds like the Propafenone is helping with the ectopics, but you must be wondering about switching back to an increased dose of the Metoprolol.

[Deleonlulu in reply to Hidden]

Exactly, specially tonight, the arrythmia seems to be back even with the third dose.. he gave me an option to switch from propafenone to 200mg of Metoprolol since I already tolerated in the past, but I'm really scared.. don't know what is best for me.

[Hidden in reply to Deleonlulu]

Only you and your doctors know that. When you say arrhythmia, do you mean ectopics? I’m not a medic, but I thought atrial ectopics were uncomfortable but not dangerous, though some people have ectopics before going in to AF apparently.

I hope it is not inappropriate to ask, but are you nursing your infant? If so, is there a problem with Propafenone getting in to the milk?

[Deleonlulu in reply to Hidden]

Yes, ectopics, they are not dangerous supposedly but I'm having more than 18,000 a day... feel them all day long, is been quite rough.

No, I'm not nursing, propafenone does affect baby if nursing, if I was, probably they would have kept me with metoprolol just like during pregnancy.

[BobD Volunteer]

I took much more than that (900mg a day) for many years with zero problems apart from the taste issue. I feel weird and tired when not taking any drugs. Thought that was life. lol