Amiodorone medication and side effects.

[Tulin123]

Amiodorone and side effects. I was on this medication for 3months with a lot of side effects. 8 weeks after starting it I developed cough. I thought that I had covid , got tested twice. Finally called my cardiologist. He said to stop the medicine. Cough got better first week but worst the second week after stopped taking it. How long am I going to be coughing like this, anyone had this problem? Thanks.

[BobD Volunteer]

Amiodarone stays in the body for quite some time apparently so it may be a while but why not speak to your doctor again and express your concerns.

[Tulin123 in reply to BobD]

The cough is gone finally. Still have metallic test in my mouth but I do not care. I have rare PVCs but not bothering yet. I am sure PVCs will start once Amiodorone excreted totally. Right now I feel fantastic.

[Ducky2003]

I was on Amiodarone for nearly 3 years and was taken off last October to see if I stayed in nsr rather than an ablation. I was told it takes around 3 months to clear your system but the only apparent side effects they picked up with me is vortex keratopathy and photosensitive skin. Sadly, had to restart them this week as AF has reared its head again. Speak to your GP /cardiologist if it continues and request a chest x ray if need be. Best wishes.

[Mickey16]

I recommend seeing your Doctor. I too developed a cough in similar timescale to yourself Tulin123. I stopped Amiodarone and the cough did clear up - took a couple of months to gradually stop. I was given medication to assist the matter.

[ETFCfan]

I like you was on it for three months. I think it took a full three months before I felt well after. The coughing stopped after a month or so. You do need to see a doctor as has been said though just to check.

[Bolander]

In my case the cough has never gone completely but the breathing exercises recommended by a physiotherapist keep it under control. This may be due to the fact that it was some six months before I was able to change to Sotolol - hopefully as you were on for three months the cough may clear up completely.

[edmondslover]

Hi Tulin,

I had 2 heart ablation procedures last year, April and August. The drug my cardiologist had me take was Amiodarone. I had told him in advance my body has a sensitivity to iodine. During the 3 ½ months on the drug (4/15/19 – 8/29/19) I did not have any noticeable effect. However, going through the withdrawal of the drug I found myself with increasing shortness of breath and a metallic taste in my throat. Just going up the stairs in my house would find me gasping for breath. Between September and December I lost 15 pounds. I had already been on a ketogenic diet for the previous 3 years because it had brought all my blood readings into line and eliminated the high cholesterol readings. Additionally, I have been going to the gym 4 days a week, running and shooting baskets for about an hour. Found myself gasping for breath after running a couple of laps around the court after taking the drug.

Started to go to different specialists (2nd cardiologist, nephrologist, pulmonologist and endocrinologist) before finding a doctor in March of this year who new to conduct the 24 hour urine test. Results showed excess iodine in the body. Also had TSH blood test that showed hyperthyroidism. He said the excess iodine was probably a side effect of amiodarone (as in about 10-15% of patients). This was followed up with a repeat of the urine and blood tests in June which reflected that, after 9 months post amiodarone, the amount of iodine in the body was finally in normal range. Due to the long half-life of that drug it can take up to 2 years to get completely back in balance. There are a lot of literature you can Google on this drug.

Of note, my body weight is back in the normal range average about 200 lbs. and I still have some shortness of breath but it seems to be getting better. Had a cardio-pulmonary test at UCLA last week and will be meeting with the pulmonologist in the next few weeks to review the results.

TomO