Coming off Amiodarone

[Paul_M]

Hi all,

I've been on Amiodarone for 12 months and have stayed in NSR after my 6th cardioversion. I was waiting for a second ablation but obviously that isn't going to happen anytime soon so the team have agreed for me to stop taking Amiodarone. I know it has a very long half life so the effects of the drug will continue for a while to come. My question is: Has anyone on here had the experience of stopping Amiodarone after so long taking it? Is there anything I should look out for?

Thanks

Paul

[Hidden]

Hi Paul, I took Ami for a little over 6 months. I had to stop as it damaged my thyroid and other horrible side effects.

Nothing to look out for, as you say the half life is very long, 3 months plus iirc so it will take a long time.

I stayed in NSR for 6 months after stopping it, but was really glad to not be poisoning myself any more. I'd rather have AF than take amiodorone ever again

[Salvatore68 in reply to Hidden]

How frequently did you have thyroid tests while u were taking amiodarone? Any what other tests did you have?

[Hidden in reply to Salvatore68]

Honestly I can't remember, I think it was two. First one would have come back ok but second one was requested by my EP when I was feeling really ill

[Echinopsis]

I was on Amiaderone for more than three years and four months put on it when I lived in Lincolnshire.When I moved to Manchester the AF started again and the new cardiologist said Amiaderone should not be taken for more than six months.

They also said my thyroid was affected, albeit I had regular tests for it in Lincolnshire but everything seemed OK. I have now got rid of the hyperthyroidism after just a few months.

So they stopped my taking the Amiaderone. I have had no side effects because of stopping, even after all this time.

But my new cardiologist carried out tests and said I now have heart failure and would not be doing another cardioversion because it is not very effective in his opinion, but it and the Amiaderone worked well for me.

When I was on the Amiaderone my heart rate was very good with no AF, but I wondered if being on it for so long could have contributed to the heart failure. I will ask the cardiologist when I next see him.

[Paul_M]

Thanks everyone... Yep I'v e had thyroid probs too... hopefully it'll return to normal after the Ami is out of my system...

[Ianc2]

May I suggest you get your eyes checked as well, one of the side effects is the formation of vortices inside your eyes. I was always told it was harmless but it seemed like every optician in the place came over for a look. It should have cleared when you stopped taking it.

You should have been having 6 monthly blood tests to check out your liver function so having a final check might be useful to be on the safe side.