Amiodarone

[BaileyC57]

Has anyone had good or bad experiences with this drug! I have a friend that has taken it for a few years and now in four days has a high heart rate in 167! He has gone to the hospital twice and in less than a week had two conversions and has worked for just a few hours! Now he is in the hospital again!

[BenHall1]

Hi,

The night I was admitted to A & E and AF was diagnosed the Dr on duty gave me this intravenously ... my HR was 156 bpm. It brought my HR down very gradually and when A & E had finished with me I was admitted to the cardiac unit for another 5 days for tests and observation. It did a great job and I have never had it since in any form.

[BaileyC57 in reply to BenHall1]

Are you on this medication?

[BenHall1 in reply to BaileyC57]

Sorry, I forgot to clarify. No, not now. When I was diagnosed was back in January 2010, 14 years ago now. Once the Consultant decided to discharge me back to the care of my GP it was with the meds of Bisoprolol and Warfarin. I remained on them until late 2023 when I changed to Nebivolol and Edoxaban.

[CDreamer]

My husband has taken Amiodarone orally for the last 4 years as it’s the only drug that has worked for him but he also takes with heart rate & BP meds. He has low HR which was treated with pacemaker.

It is a toxic drug which is often used for short periods prior to cardioversion as there can be serious affects from taking it long term, thankfully my husband seems to tolerate it really well and it has given him a good QOL considering age and conditions. Cardioversions often do not have lasting results - the best my husband achieved was 3secs and that was with Amiodarone loading.

Sorry about your friend, sometimes, AF is like that and it’s hard to control heart rate. Do they also take heart rate drugs such as Beta Blockers? I had HR of 160+ many a time but as I can’t take any HR drugs not much I could do about it except sit it out, always came down after a few hours rest, hydration, electrolytes and mindful breathing. Thankfully these days it rarely goes higher than 140-150.

[Nomis21]

Hi,I was taking amiodarone and was taken off the drug 12 months later by another cardiologist and eventually ended up having pace n ablate procedure, he said I shouldn't have been prescribed it due to its toxicity my age and condition and was told it's the drug of last resort when all else fails.

I'm now currently being tested for thyrotoxicosis and recently had a scan on my thyroid due to my TSH,T4&T3 levels being irregular after a recent blood test, endocrinologist told me it may be down to taking amiodarone, endocrinologist also said amiodarone sparks a concern within endocrinology due to it toxicity.

Sure it may work for some outweighing the risks but I'd certainly wouldn't be happy to take it again.

[BeeBee79 in reply to Nomis21]

Can I ask how old you are? I was out on Amiodarone last Feb after my 4th ablation at age 43. I began a reduced dose in August and blood tests revealed abnormality in my thyroid. Said they would test again in 3 months which I went for end of Dec but since then been put back on it due to return of AF 🥲

[Nomis21 in reply to BeeBee79]

I've felt better.Fatigued always cold, have problems regulating body heat, always tired, no energy, breathlessness, croaky and everything I eat I have a fullness feeling..

May not all be thyroid related as my BNP levels are high from recent blood tests and have a dilated right atrium, under current investigation for heart issues as well.

On top of that I have withdrawal symptoms from dulexatine which I was given for anxiety.

Can't say for sure amiodarone is contributing to any of my current symptoms as it's been a while since I last took it, just know endocrinologist raised the issue high on the list when she saw I had taken amiodarone.

[BeeBee79 in reply to Nomis21]

I have similar symptoms but may be down to AF too. I’m going to chase up blood results too. I feel full easily from waiting but still can’t shift any weight even though I’m doing all the things that used to work

[bassets in reply to Nomis21]

I don't know if you've tried this but I used Headspace for my anxiety.

[BaileyC57 in reply to BeeBee79]

My friend is 81 and now just had 5 converions and just got out of the hospital this morning! we will see how long this will last! I have AFIB but cannot take this medication because I am on throid medication!

[Visigoth]

That is very depressing to read! I’m on amiodarone and it’s been wonderful so I keep hoping I can continue for the rest of my life without AF resurrecting itself.

[riffjack846 in reply to Visigoth]

4 years on 100mgs a day never a problem and no Afib. It's the only thing that ever worked to keep me in sinus. Cheers.

[Visigoth in reply to riffjack846]

That’s great to know, thanks!

[greatness]

My mother took it for 15 yrs even though she only had AF for 2 wks. Her GP and Specialist never communicated. My suggestion : Always take anticogulants whilst on AF and keep your cholestorol levels low.

[Amiodaroneluck]

I am one of the fortunate people who have not had serious side effects from amiodarone, which I've taken since 2010 and have remained in NSR since then (knock on wood). My dosage has been reduced to 100 mg/day for the past 4-5 years too. It's a great drug for those that can tolerate it. Unfortunately, some people suffer severe effects from it. Thankfully. I am not one of them.

[riffjack846 in reply to Amiodaroneluck]

Me too.

[Ducky2003]

I have been taking it on and off for the past 4/5 years, continuously for the past 2. Had last cardioversion 2 years ago in April and still blessed with nsr since, as I'm awaiting valve repair and Cox IV Maze, so don't want any other mularky in the meantime.It has caused vortex keratopathy and corneal deposits in my eyes but I'm told there is a strong likelihood they will go when the Amiodarone is stopped.