The items, which are deemed to be of relatively low clinical effectiveness, to have cheaper options available or to be of "low priority" for funding, are:
1) Amiodarone - to treat abnormal heart rhythms
2) Dronedarone - to treat the heart condition atrial fibrillation
I think there are a lot of people here that will be affected by this. I think its a sense of things to come.
Thoughts people???
Hi Japaholic
Just seen this on the BBC, both drugs are around £2 a day so not ridiculous pricing and around the same as our NOACs
No idea what the logic is to this, Dronedarone particularly is relatively new only being approved in 2010 by NICE.
You are right about is this the shape of things to come however
Be well
Ian
I know that on this forum many of us, including me, have commented on the unacceptable side effects of Ameodarone.
I for one could not tolerate it.
However I understand that it can be effective and one of my previous EPs said to me that it was a shame I couldn’t tolerate Ameodarone as in his opinion it could have been helpful for me.
I think the consensus of opinion on this forum us that Ameodarone OK for very short periods but not long term.
It will be interesting to see if there is any reaction from the medical profession and what the trend will be for alternatives.
Pete
I am quite amazed at this considering how very few drugs are available to treat AF. I'm wondering whether my particular drug Disopyramide is for the chop as well. ..
Makes you wonder whether ablations will be the next to go. Amiodarone is often used to tide patients over before their procedure.
Amiodrone, whilst potent, fixed me in IV form and orally for a short time. It got my bpm under control (under 120 resting) when other things weren't working. Dronedrone seemed to work too, though that's been avoided since the atrial flutters last year and Flecanide/Bisoprolol combination is doing the job.
I do wonder what the "cheaper alternatives" are going to be.
IV amioderone fixed me the 2nd time in hospital, left me with awful bruises on my arm mind you.
OK - I can’t find ANYTHING on this announcement - on the BBC page or googling it. The link - both yours and the same link posted later takes me to an announcement about silk garments not being available on the NHS anymore???
Ok - it is in that article.......
Maybe only to be used in hospital setting but not for home use?
I can only say I am glad that its off the menu its too freely given and terrible long term side effects. Metoprolol for me was the best way to go I am sitting pretty right now using Metoprolol and then an ablation. Body normalised and no drugs except for Eliquis
I know amioderone is quite toxic, but for chemical cardio version it does work. It is reliable for short term use in clinical settings. Why get rid of it? I am not sure what the alternative is. Flecainide almost killed me......
Some Doctors just keep on perscribing after the hospital stint though , this is the problem it is a very powerful drug and very toxic. it would be wise for outpatients and doctors to be aware of this. I have every confidence that they will find an alternative.
That’s right, it is toxic BUT it has a place for treatment, I was successfully cardioverted with it by IV, never took it in pill form long term. If it’s removed from the NHS book so to speak that only leaves dccv which is more problematic.
Viagra is still available, while amioderone isn’t? An erection is more important than a NsR beating heart it seems.....
changeover to Dronedarone
Emotions and heart rate.!! 
New to Afib from Canada
cardiologist prescribed flecainide.. electrophysiologist prescribed amiodarone.. idk what to do 
Amiodarone - increased sensitivity to sunlight ?
