What do other AFib members use instead of Amioderone?

[Johnno333]

Wanting to come off Amioderone cannot tolerate the side effects any more, been on them for about 2years at 200mg once a day.

Any help much appreciated.

[BobD Volunteer]

That is far too long to be on Amiodarone which should be considered the drug of last resort. I suggest that you go and discuss with your treating doctor.

[seasider18 in reply to BobD]

I expect that cardiologists are better informed now. Back around 1996 a friend was told that he had to take it for life. It was the only time he ever disobeyed doctors orders.

[Johnno333 in reply to seasider18]

And the outcome of your friends decision?

[seasider18 in reply to Johnno333]

He evidently didn't have AF but had developed a very slow heart rate and passed out on three occasions, once breaking an arm and twice fracturing his skull. It was not until the third fall in a Tesco check out queue that they paid more attention.

He had a pacemaker fitted and died three years ago when 82 but he never stopped Statins despite the muscle pains that came with them.

[jeanjeannie50]

A lot of people on here get on well with Flecainide.

Like BobD, I'm shocked that you have been left on Amiodarone for so long. Yes, please ask if it's possible to change to something different.

Jean

[Hidden]

Many years ago after being on Amiodarone for about 18 months I was changed to Disopyramide. This worked more effectively for me

Worth asking about. It's been around a long time and is considered to be particularly effective for vagally mediated AF.

[higgy52]

hi johnno333

I was on it for two and half years while i had 3 cardiovertions 2 Ablations, every time i asked E P to come off it he said no, a month after my second Ablation i just stopped it, then started having a few flutter attacks, good drug for the heart but damages the rest of my body, no sleep head aches red eyes .damaged thyroid and a lot of other side affects, never go back on it again. good luck

[radagast58]

Hi

Can I ask what side effects are you experiencing? I presume you have been having very regular blood tests? As others have said this is a long time to be on Amiodarone. I'm unfortunate in that I had a very serious adverse reaction to Adenosine (cardiac arrest) and this rules out the use of a lot of the medications that would normally be used to manage my PAF, leaving beta blockers and Amiodarone!

[Johnno333 in reply to radagast58]

Thanks for your reply.

I mainly get headaches skin rashes and unable to go into sunlight without factor 50.

I have LFT every three months and a breathing test every 12 months.

I was told that this was the last drug saloon for me by the cardiologist but I am having episodes every few weeks now and I don’t want to have Amioderone increased for fear of worse side effects. Seeing the cardiologist in a few weeks so will discuss with him.

[bennie06]

Some members here are on 100mg daily and at such a low dose the side effects would be significantly reduced, although thyroid problems should not be discounted and regular blood tests remain mandatory. 200mg is supposedly a low maintenance dose according to my research so if there is no alternative might be worth a discussion with your doctor with a view to reduce.

[Johnno333 in reply to bennie06]

Cardiologist refused to reduce because I am having frequent episodes on the 200mg dose.

[Amcech]

I took amiodarone for 7 months, 200 mg daily. It did not stop my afib even with 2 cardioversions. I didn't have any side effects except stress from the fear of having major side effects so my EP took me off the amiodarone and started flecanaide. Since starting the flecanaide in April I have been in normal rhythm.

[etheral]

I was on Amioderone for 3 weeks and couldn't tolerate it. I was placed on Tikosyn (dofetilide) and have been in NSR without side effects for over a year. I am in the US and am told for some reason it is not available in some other countries. For me it has been a life saver.