Afib medications

[abej]

I was diagnosed about half a year ago with Afib. I am trying to understand the medicines and their side effects better. I am currently on Amiodarone 200 mg and Metoprolol 50mg and have many unpleasant side effects. Need to get off these meds.

[kitenski]

have you/can you discuss your side affects with your doctor or cardiologist? There are alternative medicines available but there could be a reason you are on the two prescribed.

[secondtry]

Sounds like you need more information. There are a variety of different drugs used, check out options with a trusted specialist. Also consider talking to an experienced Alternative Practitioner re taking supplements and other helpful actions.

[Ppiman]

There has been a large study of amiodarone and it showed very low levels of side effects and a high degree of safety; that said, all anti-arrhythmic medications are potentially troublesome, and amiodarone can be especially so owing to its ability to deposit iodine in the eye and lung.

The safest drugs, I gather, are those used to slow the heart rate, i.e. the beta- and calcium channel blockers.

I would talk to your GP if you are feeling ill with any drugs.

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

Steve

[Peacefulneedshelp]

I have had AF on and off for years and for many of them not on any medications and felt fine. I delt with the AF as it came and went maybe not a good idea but I am still around to talk about it. I am now on Nebivolol and feel tired all the time. Where I once was able to take a 3 mile walk and call it quits after about a mile. I am going to talk to my doc about lowering the dosage.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

I am anti Metoprolol and it is finally banned.

The 24-hr monitor showed 186 avge Day H/R but 47 avge Night with 2 pauses x 2 secs. Other s/effects sweating profusely, fatigue with high h/R.

Changed to Bisoprolol by DHB public H/Specialist. Great for BP but still 156 H/R avg Day.

Always 47 H/R Avge Night.

Perfect was CCB Diltiazem Calcium Channel Blocker 120mg .. controlled H/R 62-69 Day.

BB for BP. 123/70.

Side Effects come with overdose or if you don't tolerate it.

There are other BBs such as Bisoprolol which does not interfere with breathing, lungs and bronchii.

cheri jOY. 74. (NZ)

[mav7 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

I am anti Metoprolol and it is finally banned

Hi Joy

Could you please explain further ?

Banned in NZ ? Thx !

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to mav7]

Hi

Banned for me.

Everyone has a list containing meds which cause problems for you personally.

cheri JOY 74. (NZ)

At hospitals "it is normal to gibe metoprolol". Now AF patients get Bisoprolol.

[listerines]

If you are having unpleasant side effects from any medications then you need to discuss this with your health care team as a priority. There are other anti-arrythmics and beta-blocker choices out there that could be prescribed - my EP has always advised me that amiodarone can have potent side effects and as such is usually used as a medication of last resort to induce heart stability. If you are staying on amiodarone please make sure to discuss regular testing with your doctor as can negatively affect liver/ lung/ eye/ kidney. Keep safe

[Letofeyd]

I sympathise.Amiodarone gave me excruciating headaches, I couldn't sleep, and it did not reduce my AF episodes at all - in fact, they were worse and more frequent than before.

There are alternatives and you can ask your EP to explore some other regime that suits you better.

Good luck!