amiodarone experience

[Sharp5flat9]

I found amiodarone actually beneficial for my Afib episodes. They ceased their regular 3 week pattern.

however at an eye examination the opthalmist noticed deterioration in the left eye. When he discovered that I was taking amiodarone he insisted I tell the cardiologist about his observations.

as a result I was told to stop the drug. It seems it contains noble or heavy metals which the body cannot dispose of and if they find their way into the eye for example then vision loss could result.

At the same time I suffered extra hair loss , which stopped on ceasing the drug.

i am not a medic and so my observations are not scientific but caution is advised with amiodarone.

[BobD Volunteer]

absobloominglutely

[JJHRT]

you have to decide on risk vs benefit. As long as your lungs and liver are healthy I’d stay on it as long as it’s only affecting one eye. However I’d be vigilant on monitoring for any other vision changes. Perhaps try cutting down on dose? Just some thoughts.

[paolina in reply to JJHRT]

You must have good eyesight then. My optometrist found the same, luckily I had stopped taking it by then. My father had macular degenertive disease and went blind, my husband is blind in one eye after an accident at work and we have blind friends so we consider our eyesight as being very precious.

[Dinamite]

hi, I’d avoid it unless it’s the only drug that works for you. I researched it when told I needed to take it and read such horror stories so I asked my GP what he found it did to everyone when they had been taking it for sometime. His answer was Thyroid disease.

So I changed my cardiologist and went onto Fleccanide.

It’s your choice but be aware.

[Clarrie]

My cardiologist will not entertain putting me on Amiodarone as he says it has too many nasty side effects.

[Ppiman]

I have read that it is the very high levels of iodine in amiodarone that can cause some of the drugs many side effects coupled with the extremely long half life this causes the drug to have. However, against many views expressed on forums such as this one, science shows in a recent study that in modern dosing, the drug is not only uniquely effective, but also generally safe. That doesn't mean safe, of course, as you have discovered, and careful monitoring seems to be of great importance.

Also, it must be said that all anti-arrhythmic medicines carry much greater risks than do the rate control drugs such as beta-blockers. The side effects of other drugs are, I suppose, more "hidden" inside the heart rather with amiodarone, which are "exposed" in the eye and lungs. The reality is that treating the heart seems to be an imprecise science and still something of an art.

innovationsincrm.com/cardia...

Steve

[Desanthony]

I was prescribed this as a temporary medication for the time before and just after my 2nd cardioversion - it seems that is the done thing with many cardios and EP's. Funnily enough this was the cardioversion that lasted the shortest time at around 6 months. My first cardioversion had lasted just short of 12 months and my 3rd lasted 15 months. I was never to take it permanently and was warned to watch out for photosensitivity - but this never affected me over a hot summer when I was building our shed/workroom for my wife and I kept forgetting to put factor 50 on but never burnt. No problems with eyes either. I had blood tests every month to check on levels and on the last one when I was just about to stop taking the amiodorone they found my thyroid levels had gone up slightly. So would have been told then to stop anyway whether I was going to or not. Within 3 months of stopping the amiodorone my thyroid levels had gone back down to normal. Some people have all the side effects, some have a few and some seem to have none or have them at lower levels which are Ok for them. we are all different I would think if your medical professional was thinking of putting you on this medication permanently they would ensure frequent blood tests and if problems suyrfaced change to another medication.