Prednisolone and Af

[Caradomben]

I have in the past 2 weeks been prescribed prednisolone for PMR. At present on 15mgs .

I also have Paroxsymal Atrial Fibrillation and take 50mg flecainide twice daily and 1.25mg bisoprolol . I am worried that the steroid will affect my AF (not had an episode for over a year ) as I already have a slow heart rate . Normally 45 - 55 bpm

Has anyone had this combination of drugs with no side effects

[NannyChickens]

I have had up to three weeks of prednisalone at a time for asthma. This has happened on about five occasions over the years. It has never affected my AF which is permanent although it does unsettle my warfarin doses.

[CDreamer]

I was advised to avoid so I found alternative, more expensive alternatives and I think that is often an issue as pred is so inexpensive. Have you consulted your cardiologist and do your consultants talk to each other? I think when you are coping with these sorts of conditions you need a little joined up ness.

[Suebo2]

I have not heard of af being affected by steroids and plenty of patients in AF on warfarin have steroids

[horseblister]

I have been on prednisolone now since 1969 and I have just come off warfarin and gone on to rivaroxaban with no problems yet.

[CDreamer]

Just to be clear - I was advised to avoid steroids simply because of the AF - not the meds. Both my neurologist & cardiologist agreed that steroids should be a last, not first treatment option - if the GP agreed as the ongoing prescriber - drug costs come out of the GP’s budget.

[john-boy-92]

Prednisolone cause the disposition of fat to change, and I was hungry most of the time. I was on it for a year and it took months during that period to be weaned off it. I recall having to take a protein pump inhibited and calcium with it to prevent bone loss. It didn't affect my AF.