Amiodarone

[rcburton]

The consultant is proposing this drug followed by cardioversion if necessary. What are the common side effects?

[BobD Volunteer]

Amiodarone doesn't have side effects it has effects but short term as suggested is fine. Stay out of sunshine.

[Hidden]

Good Afternoon rcburton, you may like to take a look at our information sheet on Amiodarone which can be found here: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa... If you have any further questions or would like some advice please feel free to contact our Patient Services Team on 01789 867502 or email [e-mail]

Amiodarone info sheet

[raymelb in reply to Hidden]

There are a few here who, like me, have been on Amiodarone long-term and seem to have no major effects. Dosage, in consultation with your cardiologist, can be reduced to a point where potential harm is balanced with no occurrence of AF (e.g. I'm on 200mg 3x weekly). If you're going to be on it long-term, get your eyesight and thyroid checked regularly. And, as BobD says, keep out of the sunlight.

[Rubymurray25]

I was on Amiodarone for 7 months and the two areas where I was affected were small crystal droplets in the eyes and managed to get a pink scar ( about the size of two 10p coins ) on my face for being in the sun for about 10 minutes whilst chatting and without cream. During the period I had no AF which was amazing and then the sister drug Dronedarone has worked really well for the past 16 months. I had regular blood test and all was OK.

[Ppiman]

Thos will be useful for you to read:

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

Steve

[Maggimunro]

I would advise caution since although it is effective against Afib, for some people the side effects are pretty severe and irreversible. It is particularly prone to causing thyroid and lung problems.

[javo123j]

I can only speak of my personal situation but I took amiodrone before my cardioversion and had no side effects and cardioversion was successful.

[4874 in reply to javo123j]

keep out of sun use factor 50.Skin will develope a grey colour but otherwise well tolerated

[Slidingdoors99]

Hi! Please make sure that they keep you closely monitored (ECG blood tests etc) I had to nag because after two months it was having a bad affect on my thyroid, gave me extended QT intervals and brown fingernails!It did the trick thought and I went back into NSR after 7 weeks but was taken off then because of the side effects.

Other people I know have tolerated it for much longer though!

[BrotherThomas]

As we all say, everyone is different as far as side effects are concerned. I've been taking 200mg a day of it for the last 18 months or so and, so far, no problems with side effects and have been out in the sun over this summer (wore an F50 sunscreen).

I was scheduled to come off it around Feb this year following a cardioversion last October. Unfortunately, I was found to be back in AF on an ECG in February. I'm usually asymptomatic so I don't know when I'm in or out, it's all the same to me. The plan is to have a third CV in October and then come of the amiodarone a couple of months after that assuming it's successful. If it isn't I don't know what the next step will be.

[Soundmike]

Hi I mentioned amioderone recently on a post when I first joined the forum . I'm tagged up for not to go anywhere near the stuff .

[MummyLuv]

I was on for 3 months when I had my minimaze, I was quite scared of it, more scared taking the drug than of the surgery itself. I had regular blood tests and I did have raised liver toxins which made me feel sick. No long term damage though as I was taken off really quickly post 2 high blood tests. Even at low dose for a short period regular monitoring is critical in my view.