Prednisone and AF/SVT

[pusska01]

I am new here but have a question regarding prednisone and AF. I was diagnosed 2 years ago and am taking Flecainide, Apixaban and a beta blocker. I have been given a course of Prednisone by an ENT specialist due to chronic sinusitis. Has anyone had any experience with this medication and AF?

[CDreamer]

Pred is a 1st line treatment for another condition I have but my cardiologist advised my neurologist against it’s use because I had AF. But that was about loading me to very high dose until I had a crisis & then titrating down until I was controlled but tolerated the drug for long term use - always done as in patient!

If it is a short course of relatively low dose for an infection I should think it will be OK - I have taken a very low dose for a week for chest infection - I went into AF but then the infection will do that anyway so it was no worse than usual.

Do remember to titrate down gradually, even with a low dose.

PS it is used as a immune suppressant so do be careful to avoid anyone with colds/flu/infections as you will be more susceptible.

What length of time are you advised to take it for & what dose?

[pusska01 in reply to CDreamer]

It is a 4 week course 25mg, 1 week then 12-1/2mg 2 weeks then 5mg 1 week. I have only just started it and the chemist seemed to think it would be ok. Didn't know if I should ring the EP.

[CDreamer in reply to pusska01]

That’s a relatively short course and if it clears your infection then for the best. Hope it works for you.

[Bagrat]

I have a friend who was cardioverted some time back and has stayed in sinus rhythm. He takes low dose pred for polymalgia arthritica.

I would discuss with your pharmacist who will offer a balanced view rather than one based on a specialty.

[stagecoach]

I has an ablation in July and had to take 2 courses of prednisone/prednisolone since then. Each affected me quite badly and I had arrhythmias not long after starting taking it. first course was 30mg for 1 week, 20mg for 1 week and then 10mg for 1 week and due to the arrhythmia flecainide was increased from PIP to 50mg twice daily.

second course was 30mg for 5 days, 25mg for 3 day, 20mg for 3 days, 15mg for 3 days, 10mg for 3 days and 5mg for 3 days. with this course my Flecainide was increased to 100mg twice a day.

For me the interaction was horrible. Now I've finished the course I've been arrhythmia free/ectopic beat free.