the safety of amiadarone

[Jajarunner]

i have posted several times that I have heard that the modern low dose way of using amiadarone is very safe and reports of toxicity resulted from its 'olden days' high dose usage. Here's a scientific study showing that:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

hope it helps to reduce anxiety for some people especially those facing using it long-term ( ie me if dronedarone doesn't work....) 🤣

[raymelb]

As a long-term low dose Amiodarone user, this is good to read, though I'll still be getting tested regularly of course. I also hope it will help others when considering using this drug. I sometimes wonder if people are suffering AF unnecessarily because of their concerns, when a low dose may improve their QoL quite considerably. Thanks Jajarunner.

[Jajarunner in reply to raymelb]

Would you mind sharing how long you have been on it. I'm only (only!) 58 so would be faced with, hopefully, 30 years of it! My EP at my hospital, Papworth, is dead against it long term and wants to carry out what would be my fourth ablation in less than 2.5 years. but my local cardiologist is all for long term amiadarone and against a fourth ablation (he was also against number two and three, and was correct as neither worked for more than a few months!). So curious to hear your experience (just in case dronedarone doesn't work).

[raymelb in reply to Jajarunner]

I've been on and off it (mainly on it) for 5 years. To start with I was on 200mg daily, but I was bradycardiac, so over time I weaned myself off it completely (also because of its reputation), but went back into af a few times once it had fully left my system. I went back on it daily then, in conjunction with my cardiologist, came down to 200mg 3x a week, which I've been on for about 3 years now. I haven't had any af in that time, though I have experienced similar triggers (gastric/vagus) - that would have sent me into af before - with no further effects. I get my thyroid etc. checked regularly and all is ok so far. I'm aware that many people (with good reason in some cases) don't like this drug, but at this dosage it certainly works for me.

[Jajarunner]

I was previously on the very low dose of 100 mg with no.problems but only for six months.

Thank you for sharing that info 👍

[Gowers in reply to Jajarunner]

Interesting to read the varioys posts - as some folk are only on Amiadarone for short while - is it because in a certain time frame it should sort out any problems? What happens when you come off it - do you have to be given a different medication/s?

[Jajarunner in reply to Gowers]

In my case I had it pre and post cardioversion and then pre and post ablation so I came off it with no other medications. This time I'd be looking at taking it long term instead of a fourth ablation.Some people take it to attempt a chemical cardioversion I think.

[Gowers]

Thank you for the information. I had 4th ablation three months ago. So far No more Af or Aflutter but Reveal implant shows ectopics - when walking, getting up after sitting down. Cardioligist going to review my medication (Diltiazem & Digoxin)

[Sabina]

I was on Amiodarone for 15 months due to uncontrollable bout of AF. I had tried every other available drug and had two ablations. The only alternative to me was an AV Node ablation plus pacemaker but I opted for Amiodarone. For the first 9 months I was absolutely fine and AF free, then I started with occasional bad coughing bouts. After Christmas 2021 this escalated to a continuous, productive cough. I became increasingly extremely ill I and finally was diagnosed, after two months with Amiodarane toxicity of the lungs and was admitted to hospital where I was given oxygen and steroids. I was in hospital 9 days and on steroids for three months and am finally back to almost full health.This isn't a scare story as I would have been willing to stay on Amiodarone for the rest of my life but was just one of the very few unlucky ones so, you have any unusual symptoms, especially breathing problems, please ask your doctor if they could be related to the Amiodarone. If you aren't happy with the reply and are increasingly more unwell then please ring 999. Good luck!

[Jajarunner in reply to Sabina]

Thank you