AFib and Antibiotics

[momo24]

I know you lovely experienced Afib people will be able to answer my query for me!

I have recently had antibiotics for a chest infection and pneumonia. Now have cystitis with yet another antibiotic. This latest antibiotic has I think brought on AFib again.

I had my 2nd Ablation at St Barts on October 29th 2018. Can anyone reassure me please, your advice is always a comfort.

[Kaz747]

I had antibiotics recently for a week for bronchitis but can’t comment on whether it had an effect on AF as I had daily episodes anyway.

[momo24 in reply to Kaz747]

Thank you Kaz

[BobD Volunteer]

I think it more liekey to be the infection itself. Any inflamation in the body can affect AF. If you are on warfarin antibiotics can affect INR so best get tested more frequently until stabilised.

[momo24 in reply to BobD]

Thank you Bob, hadn’t thought of that!

[CDreamer]

I agree with Bob. Every time I get any sort of infection or a virus - my heart always goes into overdrive - not always AF these days - tachycardia & ectopic at the least.

[momo24 in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you, very helpful once again.

[etheral]

Some antibiotics interact with any antiarythmics you may be on. Without knowing specifics it's hard to comment.

[momo24 in reply to etheral]

Thank you etheral, sharing knowledge is so comforting.

[radagast58]

I think Bob is right not least because he normally is! I suspect it is the infection associated inflammatory process that is destabilising your arrhythmia. Keep well and I hope things improve for you

[seasider18]

Was it Cipro or one of the fluoroquinolone family? They can have many short and long term side effects. The MHRA and EMA here and the FDA in America have advised pharmacists and doctors to restrict use and where possible to prescribe alternatives.

[john-boy-92]

As Bob has mentioned, the AF could be caused by the infection. When I was in hospital with early stage pulmonary toxicity - wrongly diagnosed as community acquired pneumonia - I had AF and was placed on an amiodarone drip. One of the doctors said then that illness can cause AF.