Amiodarone peri-ablation

[Cocofluffs]

I have been told to take amiodarone three weeks before & three weeks after my first ablation. Has anybody else had experience of this drug?

[IanMK]

I’ve been taking it for around 6 weeks. I wasn’t ‘pre-loaded’ and I’m on a low dose of 200mg/day. I wasn’t particularly keen on taking this but my highly respected cardiologist assured me that it is OK for short term use. I’ve had no problems and it is keeping me in NSR. I don’t anticipate taking it beyond another 6 weeks. I hope this helps.

[Cocofluffs in reply to IanMK]

Thanks Ian, that's just what I needed to know.

[BobD Volunteer]

This is quite a common thing to help the heart to heal in peace and quiet. Amiodarone has such a bad press but short term it is very useful.

[Cocofluffs in reply to BobD]

Thanks, I feel better about taking it now

[ruuthmo]

When my first Ablation was unsuccessful I was prescribed Amiodarone and the second op which followed in about 8 weeks proved successful - I was kept on the drug for a few weeks afterwards and then taken off. This happened in 2013 so I have kept well since then. I had no adverse after effects and wish you well in your treatment.

[Cocofluffs in reply to ruuthmo]

Thanks,. very comforting.

[jedimasterlincoln]

I had IV Amiodarone to try to reign in my heart early last year followed by a maintenance dose for a few months just to keep things under wraps. There are many scare stories and bad press about it and indeed a whole movement against the drug but it was well monitored and did the job.

[Cocofluffs in reply to jedimasterlincoln]

Hi, how was it monitored?

[jedimasterlincoln in reply to Cocofluffs]

I was attached to mobile telemetry on the cardiac ward for 30+ hours and then I had an ECG a few weeks later, plus knowing how much of a problem it was for some people there was a lot of self monitoring!

[supergranny]

I have been on it since my cardio version a year ago, was on 200, then dropped to 100 and lately dropped to 50 but unfortunately my AF is back!! not a good drug but obviously does what it says on the packet. I have wanted to come off it, have to see the Cardiologist next.

[DoubleEm]

My husband was put on 200mg Amiodorone at end of May whilst awaiting cardioversion. Appt. has finally arrived for early October and he hopes to be able to leave Amiodorone behind by the end of the year. He is thankful it is doing what it should but he is struggling with many side effects.