Dronedarone

[rothwell]

I saw my electrophysiologist the other day and am now on the waiting list for a second ablation. Currently I don't take any rhythm control medications but as my episodes of AF have increased to three or four times a week , he has suggested dronedarone. I said that I would do some research and get back to him. So..does anyone take this and do you find it effective. Apparently it is a sort of hybrid of Amiodarone without the nasties. Thanks.

[BobD Volunteer]

Dronedarone (Multaq) from Sanofi Aventis was hoped to be the great new magic bullet when it was passed for use in UK a few years ago (2008 ?). (As a patient I did some radio interviews about AF and helped in a film to increase public awareness of the condition at that time). Unfortunately it did not prove so successful and one or two people who were poorly chosen to take it in USA suffered liver damage I think and it went out of popularity. Regular checks for liver and kidney function are needed.

Strangely yours is the second question about dronedarone this week so maybe some EPs are trying it again.

[rothwell in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob....I think it may also cause some digestive problems and as I already have big problems because of hiatus hernia and acid reflux then maybe this is a no-no for me .Thanks again.

[jedimasterlincoln]

I was started on it in 2013 when various other combinations failed. I needed regular liver function blood tests at 6 weeks 12 weeks 18 weeks and so on to ensure it wasn't causing problems. It as hailed as a "less potent" version of Amiodrone, it did work for me for a time but then like everything else it failed to keep a lid on my symptoms.

[rothwell in reply to jedimasterlincoln]

Thank you👍

[Hidden]

I have been on this drug for a few months not very long after it was introduced. It didn't cause any digestive issues for me even though I'm on lansoprazole.

It is similar to Amiodarone minus the Iodine atoms (?) I believe. I researched quite a bit before I took it. As long as you make sure you have regular blood tests you should be ok. I was also taking low dose simvastatin so I stopped this for the time I was on Dronedarone...my cholesterol wasn't very high anyway .

It seemed to help. This was prior to my third ablation

Sandra

[tony85]

It is very effective. I took it for only three months and it brought my AF under control and now I hardly notice it. But it has dangerous and serious side effects if taken long term. I started having a few of these so the doctor stopped my medicine. I believe it would be okay to take it for six months but not more. You would start a high dose and then slowly reduce it over this period.

[19hatherly]

I have been taking small doses of amiodarone, 100 mg three times per week with no AF and no side effects to date. I started on 200 mg five times per week about three years ago and have gradually reduced the dosage.From my readings on the subject, the lower the dosage the less likelihood of side effects.

[bennie06 in reply to 19hatherly]

Interested to read that you are on a very low maintenance dose. My research came up with 200mg daily gave good results with very low % side effects.

dx.doi.org/10.3904/kjim.201... Only found one trial for 100mg daily which gave nil side effects although i discounted this as the sample rate was too low. Keep up the good work.

[bennie06]

Suggest if you Google it you will find some good info. E.g. Dronedarone versus Amiodarone. Dronedarone efficacy etc., You are right that it is chemically similar to Amiodarone without the "bad boy" iodine which really sounds good. It is not as effective as Amio but the failure rate % is high initially then flattens off. Numbers game again but quite interesting. Good luck with your research.

[Jlaine]

I also am not on any rhythm control med yet! Have afib now 94% of time. Had two cardioconversions that only lasted less than a day and one ablation 3mths ago so still waiting to see if it will have an affect on me! Looking at having 2nd ablation soon. I have coronary artery disease so am real limited to what rhythm control med I can take. Tekosyn is the primary choice but have to be monitored in hospital for 3 days as it can cause cardiac arrest. So you see why I havent gone there yet but leaning in that direction probably!

[rothwell]

Thanks everyone for your replies....still haven't made up my mind about taking the Dronedarone but I have started on magnesium taurate which seems to have changed occurrence of 'episodes to one every three days instead of one every other day...will see how this progresses....or not!!!

[Amcech]

I took Multaq for about 18 months. It worked to control my afib after an ablation. I did not have any side effects. I believe it stopped working at about 18 months for me and my afib came back after a very stressful time for me about the same time.