Amiodarone & Bisoprolol

[Mike-tyson]

I am currently on 100mg Amiodarone at night and 2.5mg Bisoprolol twice per day. I am having sleep and daily tiredness problems which is side effect of above medications. My Doctor has given me Zoicone 5mg which I take when I wake in the night as it then gives me a good nights sleep. My heart nurse also recommended Valerian root which I take a small amount just before I get into bed. This works well and better than Nytol one a night (Diphenhydramine) which if it any help gives me bad RLS. I last spoke to my EP on the phone in March he just said I was handling my AF very well by adjusting my medication heart rate is between 70 & 90 bpm I think a second Ablation is the answer but think it could be a while in the current Covid19 climate. As EP said he would see me again in 6 months time ?. So think I have put up with the tiredness and feeling rough most days for the time being.

[Bravemouth]

Yeah, the Amiodarone is a heavy drug on the system. I’m still tired and have been off it for 40 days but cardiologist said it stays in your system for 2-3 months after you stop. I take ginseng to try help with tiredness and do Qigong ( you can get YouTube videos of “Brocade of 8” which is easy and good for the body. Also feeling a little faint and wobbly sometimes as I have persistent AFib and am on Bisoprolol 2.5 twice a day and Xarelto 15 mg and awaiting a cardioversion once the COVID calms down here in South Africa.

So just hang in there with the Amiodarone. Very few people find it an easy drug to be on.

[Hidden in reply to Bravemouth]

Yes Amiodarone is a nightmare, no energy and its long term use is not recommended. Been on it 5 months and looking forward to getting off it. Need to wait for my second Ablation, not sure it will be this year, fingers crossed for next year.

[Ducky2003]

I've had no tiredness issues with Amiodarone but Bisoprolol was awful. Everything was an effort and I couldn't walk more than 50m without being out of breath. Sleep disturbed as my breathing was laboured. My pharmacist explained that it attaches to receptors in the lungs as well as the heart which caused my issues. I asked my cardiologist to put me on Diltiazem instead, which he did and felt so much better. Had to subsequently take 200mg Amiodarone but didnt feel tired with it. Took it for nearly 3 years, had a spell off and now back on it. Amiodarone can cause thyroid issues, which can make you feel tired too so I would get your GP to get you a thyroid blood test to see how that's doing. If that's ok, I would have a chat about the Bisoprolol.

[Mike-tyson in reply to Ducky2003]

Have had a required tests by my doctors and Cardiology at Stoke. And all ok. But suddenly started getting RLS after a nice lunchtime drink just 2.5 pints. Doctor given me Ropinirole which has got rid of the RLS but put me in a fog all next day !