Has anyone heard of the study: Berberine vs Amiodarone for AFIB?

[Ruza2020]

I just came across this interesting study - Antimicrobial Natural Product Berberine Is Efficacious for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillationhindawi.com/journals/bmri/2...

Here is a conclusion of the long and very detailed paper:

In summary, our results are novel as no previous clinical studies have specifically compared the efficacy of berberine and amiodarone for the treatment of AF. We find that berberine and amiodarone are equally effective at maintenance of SR. The health beneficial effect of berberine is confirmed and the clinical application of berberine is promising. The knowledge of adverse effects with berberine is limited; however monitoring the safety of berberine in the high dose range is important. Therefore, further prospective studies are needed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and side effect profile of berberine in a contemporary AF population.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Thanks.

[Bunnyuk]

There are a few papers on berberine and arythmias. A Google search brings up a selection. I understand there is a traditolional Chinese herbal.mix (can't recall the name at present) that has good results also. I'm.persuing homeopathy at present alongside my normal medication, but may well return to my acupuncturist and herbalist in due course if things don't improve. I would much prefer a less drug orientated approach to my afib treatment.

[Ruza2020 in reply to Bunnyuk]

Thanks Bunnyuk. I too prefer to find a way of keeping my Afib under control with minimum toxicity.... Unfortunately, I don't have other options but to take Amiodarone right now... It doesn't even work very well...

[Bunnyuk in reply to Ruza2020]

Yes, my meds don't work too well either... I'm on nebivolol and apixaban, but still getting afib a few times a week at present ( exacerbated big time by covid in January). Its been suggested I now add flecainide, and consider an ablation. But I'm so reluctant to add more toxicity to my body, or undergo an irreversible heart procedure just now. So am exploring alternative approaches....

[MarkS]

The number of patients involved was relatively small - 40 odd in each arm, whereas hundreds or thousands are recommended to get good results. Also I'm not sure it was properly blinded and there was no control group (taking a placebo). So there may be something in berberine but I don't think this trial proves anything in my view, I'm afraid.

[Ruza2020 in reply to MarkS]

Thanks MarkS

I agree, the sample is very small.

Not sure if it would be ethical to give placebo to those who suffer from highly sympthomatic Afib...

[CDreamer]

Yes, had seen it and looked at a few papers. But would it make enough money to warrant large, clinical studies? That’s really the question to ask as Pharmaceuticals are often the only companies with enough resources to fund that and they ain’t going to do that if it won’t make them money. See MarkS’s reply.

Magnesium is a good example - helps many people with arrythmias - not sure there are any large scale studies demonstrating it’s efficacy.

[Ruza2020 in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks CDreamer - Unfortunately, magnesium did not work for me.

[Janith in reply to Ruza2020]

Magnesium works for me! But only one manufacturer … l can go for over a year without an episode. However, once it begins l am highly symptomatic. Terrifying. Sotalol works and no side effects.

[Ruza2020 in reply to Janith]

Thanks Janet. My Afib episodes are very symptomatic as well - - - just like you said absolutely terrifying. The only medication you take is Sotalol, right? Unfortunately none beta blockers worked for me. So far I am stuck with Amiodarone. What brand of magnesium do you take?

[Janith in reply to Ruza2020]

It’s called magnesium taurate by a company called “Rhythm” … l also take Losartan Potassium 25 mg daily along with sotalol 80 mg twice per day … l purchase my magnesium taurate through Amazon … of course l was a hold out and didn’t want to take blood thinners but cardiologist insisted … my choice was Eliquis 5 mg twice per day. Best, Jan

[ralphfuh]

I tried it and it did not work for me, but neither did amiodarone

[Ruza2020 in reply to ralphfuh]

Thank you ralphfuh. I'm just curious - how do you keep your Afib under control. I am on Amiodarone - but still get Afib episode 2-3 times a month😒

[ralphfuh in reply to Ruza2020]

I take diltiazem 180, I have been in permanent afib for about 3 years,

[Megams]

~My first thought of Berberine /Amiodarone would be to say that they are two mediums that are poles apart in a lose sense of the word.I do find it exciting however that these more plant based/natural options could possibly be explored but as other members have commented there would not be enough $$$ for the drug companies to invest in such research.

Ouabain is another more natural option I am in process of researching - for some a/fib situations.

Thank you for sharing part of this paper ~

[Tomred in reply to Megams]

Hi Megams, having just seen your post from 11 months ago , what did your research on Ouabain come up with and have you tried and what were your results , thanks.

[MarkS]

I would suggest that most people on this forum do not have their AF under control using medicine. From what I've heard anti-arrhythmics such as flecainide and amiodarone only work in about 30% of cases, and they don't reduce mortality anyway. For the rest its either ablation or beta/calcium channel blockers to reduce heart rate when in AF.

[needlestone]

I always lean to natural rather than meds as I tried the meds and they did help somewhat but made me feel like a zombie. I did have an ablation that did work, however, continued having trouble until going gluten/wheat free. I take a fist full of supplements for my heart and other things and have no trouble with my heart now unless I accidentally get a dose of artificial sweetener, gluten or too much alcohol. Lifestyle changes/choices and trying to be less inflammatory, I believe, helps my heart stay in rhythm.