Irregular heartbeat and Setraline

[Steve_The_Tyke]

Hi All

Had a quadrupal bypass in September, everything going well until couple of weeks ago when it was identified that I have gone into AF with an irregular heart beat. Today i have read an article suggesting that the medication i take for depression (Setraline) is known to have a side effect that causes irregular heartbeat. Has anyone else heard of this,

[BobD Volunteer]

Regardless of what you may have read it is well known that AF is a common side effect of heart surgery , especially by-pass I'm afraid. Try not to look for" blame" as it really is not helpful.

Why not go to AF Association main website and read some reliable facts about Atrial Fibrillation.

[Steve_The_Tyke in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob

Not looking for blame it was just a report that i came across whilst looking for something else and it was just interesting reading, caught my eye with the mention of the drug.

[Hidden in reply to Steve_The_Tyke]

Ive been taking sertraline for at least 2 yr for anxiety/ depression which I think started 4 yr ago when diagnosed with PAF. I have not had any a fib for at least 18 mo, which is the longest Ive gone so far. Ive not had any ablations. Just taking a low dose betablocker and flecainide if I have a fib. I too read that Zoloft and other antidepressants can cause problems but in my case, I think helping to keep my anxiety at bay has helped me alot

[Palpman]

There is a difference between anxiety and depression and there are medications for each.

Xopax, xanor, zoloft and alprazolam are prescribed for anxiety. NHS will not allow long term use of the above as they are addictive. Lorazopan no more than a small dose of 1mg pd allowed according to my GP.

Prozac or Sertraline for depression is ok under NHS though.

That said, Sertraline and Flecainide should not be taken together as 30% of the Flecainide gets dumped unused via the kidneys. Sertraline prohibits the kidneys to filter the Flecainide out so it accumulates in the blood glucose to toxic levels.

Beta blockers such as Inderal, Bisoprolol or Propranolol can cause arrhythmia as can Flecainide. Flecainide can even cause ventricular fibrillation yet we are prescribed them for arrhythmia.

I am on all of the above so thank the gods that I am on Sertraline and Lorazopan and not worried about this.