How long til Amiodarone works?

[KootenayTrails]

Wondering what others have experienced with amiodarone. How long did it take to start working? My AF started suddenly Feb 6, progressing quickly to daily. Dronaderone didn’t work. 11 days ago after 6th cardioversion, EP put me on amiodarone despite concerns for my low HR. It has definitely reduced intensity and frequency of my AF episodes (1/2hr to 6 hrs every 2 to 3 days, no more fainting, not needed cardioversions since). No noticeable side effects except more insomnia and fatigue. Would just be nice to decrease the AF further prior to my May 31st ablation.

[KootenayTrails]

Also my RHR has gone down gradually, but not lower than 43 during day

[Sheepbreeder]

1 to 3 months is not uncommon.

[KootenayTrails in reply to Sheepbreeder]

Oh wow, well maybe my AF’s WILL still slow down then. Thanks.

[Ossie7]

I was put on amiodarone after a successful cardioversion ( my 2nd ) to keep me in rhythm so it kind of worked straight away . I was on it for 15 months until it started affecting my vision .

[KootenayTrails in reply to Ossie7]

15 months controlled AF must have been such a relief! Sorry to hear about vision though. What did they replace it with?

[Ossie7 in reply to KootenayTrails]

dronedarone ( Multaq) , but this only worked for a short while before the AF broke through . I’ve since had 2 ablations and 2 more cardioversions , last one being in October and back on dronedarone and so far remained in lovely sinus rhythm ! I must add that I can’t tolerate flecanide

[KootenayTrails in reply to Ossie7]

Must be wonderful to be back in NSR! Multaq didn’t work for me, but maybe it will after my ablation. Me either re Flec

[primrose71]

it didn’t work for me had terrible stomach aches Doc said to come off it spam ok now wee are all different

[KootenayTrails in reply to primrose71]

sWhat did they replace it with?

[primrose71]

just on Apixaban now 2.5mg

[bbigH]

Hi i was on this drug for two years and it controlled my AF well but had to stop it as it affected my thyroid and left me on tablets to supplement my thyroid for rest of my life

[KootenayTrails in reply to bbigH]

That’s too bad re the thyroid. What antiarrythmia drug did they replace amiodarone with? I don’t want to stay on it more than 3 months post-ablation.

[bbigH]

I had to have an av node ablation after three unsuccessful ablations and a single lead pace maker fitted.This damaged my left ventricul and reduced my heart ejection frction to 30% from 55%.I complained to consultant and swapped my pacemaker for a two lead model and after 12 months my ejection fraction is back to 55%,phew