medication

[Health2512]

I have managed my Atrial Fibrillation since being diagnosed in 2017, but the last month I have had problems with low heart rate 31-40 & then A/F lasting for over 24hours at a time . Cardiologist suggested medication Disopyramide 250mgs twice a day has anyone used this ? He said if this doesn’t work then Flecainide

[Jalia]

Yes. I have been taking Disopyramide for over 20 years. Its not prescribed very much these days. My EP told me that I'm his only patient on this drug. No real problems with the drug at all apart from dry mouth and eyes which can be dealt with. Flecainide didn't work for me. I believe that Disopyramide is particularly useful when the AF is thought to be of vagal origin.

[Health2512 in reply to Jalia]

Thank you Jalia I appreciate your thoughts.

I have tried to get this medication from the Pharmacy today, unfortunately at the moment cannot find a pharmacy in the area that stock this

I might have to go onto another medication.

[Jalia in reply to Health2512]

I was going to mention that it can be difficult to get hold of ! It's not usually held on stock unless you have a pharmacy close to a nursing home (!). Mine always has to be ordered in.

[Health2512]

thank you for your advice very helpful

[opal11uk]

I have been taking Disopyramide for over 20 years having taken Flecanide before. I have taken many different ones as they only seemed to control my P/A/F for about a year then the condition over rode the drugs! I have recently been told by several pharmacies that there is no stock of Disopyramide so I contacted the manufacturer and was told they were not discontinuing the 250mg slow release tablet but that at the moment they had no stock!!! I have contacted my cardio accordingly so those that are currently taking Disopyramide please be aware, cardio said it may be necessary to change over to something else, the idea doesn't thrill me lol

[Rosie0202 in reply to opal11uk]

Hi

Do you still get Afib or has it been in remission for 20 years with Diksopyramide

[opal11uk in reply to Rosie0202]

During the 20 years I continued to suffer from P/A/F on and off until I had an ablation in 2015, which was unsuccessful and followed shortly afterwards with the insertion of a Pacemaker. Once this was done I continued to take Disopyramide and then Bisoporal and right up until this year I had no A/F until I decided it was time to come off Disopyramide. I did no slowly but the consequence appears to be permanent A/F, 45% of my heart now not working and in heart failure. Back on Disopyramide and Bisoporal increased from 2.5 mg to 10 mg and I am now stable. In April 2022, whilst playing table tennis, my doubles partner knocked me to the floor, I broke my hip and I think my problems actually started from then, maybe the trauma I really don't know but since then I have had everything I have just described. I don't play table tennis anymore lol but I am 80 next year so guess Ive got to slow down!!!

[LaceyLady]

change of medication? See your cardiologist. I get bradycardia and it’s the drugs. On Dronedarone and that can cause it too 🙄

[Tapanac]

Flecainide is brilliant

Good luck

[Vonnegut]

Flecainide works for me- 100mg am and pm - I’m 79 and had always been fit and healthy previously, have a healthy diet, never overweight etc but of course we are all different. Hope you find something that works for you.

[2learn]

hi, has your low heart rate been checked out with scan and TOE to see what'scausing it.

[BaileyC57]

I have AFIB every 35 hours and I did take Flecainide for one year and a half and it make me out of breath and eyes blurry and my heart got some thicking around my heart and had to get off from it!

[Crystamycin]

Yes, I’ve been taking Disopyramide for the last two years, having only two AF episodes during that time. The drug was prescribed following a sensitivity to Flecanaide, taken for ten years and then for a short period Metoprolol, both dropping pulse levels to dangerously low levels. The side effects experienced whilst on Disopyramide are mostly dryness affecting many body areas causing dry mouth, eyes and dry skin. Furthermore, it has exacerbated problems of gastric reflex and colic and constipation, which have been managed with medication and diet. Although my side effects sound off putting, Disopyramide is a good drug, when Flecainide fails, albeit not used generally it seems. Unfortunately, there is a problem with supply levels which has caused huge shortages of the drug that has been stressful. It is hoped that manufacturing supplies will be started by the beginning of September.

I would be interested to hear of others’ experience in using Disopyramide.