Any experience of Amiodarone? The potential side effects sound frightening.

[Belle11]

I was diagnosed with AF 9 months ago, but am new here. I was put on bisoprolol 10mg and rivaroxaban 20mg straightaway.

The NHS wheels have turned very slowly for an echocardiogram, then finally an outpatient appointment in November. The registrar talked about amiodarone, mentioning some very unpleasant potential side effects, and when I was hesitant (I wanted time to research and think about it) he went and talked to the consultant, and told me they would prescribe digoxin instead. Since I've been on digoxin I've started to get ankle swelling, and since the dose went up to 250mg, my lower legs are swelling too.

I'm now down for a cardioversion on Sunday (3 other appts have been cancelled so far) and I'm wondering, if it's not successful, whether amiodarone would be worth asking for. Thanks to anyone with thoughts or experience on this.

[PengieP]

I am probably very lucky, but I have been on amiodarone (200 mg per day) for ten years and I haven’t had any noticeable side effects. I wish I didn’t have to take it, but I’ve been in NSR for 8 years now with really no side effects.

[Belle11 in reply to PengieP]

Wonderful to stay in NSR so long.

[Polly159]

Can only share my own experience- after AFIB for 18 months with no medicine working and episodes increasing, went on to amiodarone in Sept. It cut down length of episodes but not frequency ( twice a week). This past week - no episodes! That could be the drug just beginning to have more effect, a good rest over the festive period or just AFIB doing its own thing.....

Side effects? It has affected my thyroxin levels (I've been on thyroxin anyway for about 25 years) which really made feel unwell, but now tested and sorted. I think the main thing is for the docs to put in place a regular testing regime for the possible problems. My docs didn't do this until I went with the thyroid problem then they did liver, kidney, blood sugar etc and will repeat in 6 months time.

Others, of course, have different experiences. I think if you put amiodarone into the search box on here, you should get info and experiences form more people.

All the best

Polly

[rosyG]

I haven't taken it but har it is only really for short term use when there meds wouldn't work etc. Pleased Penpie P has been OK - don't often hear of long use like this

[Janelr]

I’m on amiodarone 4 weeks now and I didn’t hestitate I will try anything

[Janelr in reply to Janelr]

Oops didn’t finish that sorry. So I’ve found brought hr down lovely , digoxin didn’t do anything for me. However today just found out my thyroids up from September so retesting again next week. Awaiting second cardioversion as first one didn’t last.

I too have swollen legs feet and last week they upped my frusomide to 120mg and put me on spironactalone .

[Belle11 in reply to Janelr]

Glad it's brought down your heart rate. I probably would have tried it too, but registrar with hard to understand English made communication difficult and the decision was made before I had a chance to ask for time to research it. I really don't want to be on ever more drugs to counteract the side effects of others, so would rather swap from digoxin to something else if necessary. All the best for your 2nd cardioversion.

[LindaDaisy in reply to Janelr]

I’ve been on Amiodarone for 2 weeks now. My ankles swelled up at the end of the first week and it was obvious my frusamide wasn’t working well. So I changed the times. I took the frusamide 3 hours before the Amiodarone. Now losing fluid nicely and Ankles have now gone down.

[Janelr in reply to LindaDaisy]

Yes I’ve noticed huge difference since they put me on 120mg frusomide I actually have wrinkly feet not elephant feet through day I’ll try what doing that what you’ve said thanks

[Mickey16]

Hi Belle11,

If you have ever had a history of Bradycardia, it says on the leaflet Not to take. I was prescribed it and became very ill.

Look at the other contraindications of Amiodarone - there are others - you can find it on line. Check it out and inform yourself to your particular circumstances as much as you can.

Very best wishes,

Mickey16

[jeanjeannie50]

If you look at the right hand side of your post at the top of this page you will find other posts relating to Amiodarone. Or you could just type Amiodarone in the Search Health Unlocked window at the top of this page and it will throw up every single post ever put on this forum. The effects of this drug are asked about on this forum just about every week, so it is a popular question.

Jean

[Belle11]

Thank you to everyone who replied. I've now had a cardioversion, and am back in sinus rhythm, so hopefully won't need amiodarone! But it's good to have the information in case of future arrhythmia. Thanks again!