Coming off Amiodarone

[JoDogBlue]

After developing Afib (thanks to Covid) I was put on amiodarone, bisoprolol and edoxaban. A terrible two to three weeks followed without a wink of sleep getting the amiodarone into my system. I had a cardioversion a few months later (delayed thanks to doctors and nurses strikes). That worked and I felt better so am on the list for an ablation in Oxford. I came off amiodarone in October. I know it takes a long time to get out of your system but my sleep is still broken mid January and I get really vivid dreams. Can that be an effect of the drug?

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi John

Welcome to the forum, you'll find us a friendly group keen to support others when we can.

At its extreme it can take up to 6 months for Amiodarone to leave your body. If you'd never had vivid dreams or been unable to sleep before taking that drug then I would guess it's the cause.

Jean

[Icecreamforme]

yes most definitely. Half life of the amioderone is long - around 20 days. So in 40 days you still have 25% in your system.

It causes vivid dreams and sleep disturbances, you’ll be waking up several times a night, it’s horrible toxic stuff.

I suffer the same; nightmares or stress type dreams every single night, with at least 3 wakenings of several hours each.

I know what you’re going through!

[Ppiman]

I have read that beta-blockers can cause this rather than amiodarone. There are alternatives called calcium agonists (e.g. diltiazem). Perhaps you doctor would try that?

[Hidden]

Good Morning johnathompson11,

Yes, Amiodarone can take months to fully be excreted from your system. More information can be found on our information sheet: api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

If you are concerned about any side effects please speak with your doctor or pharmacist, they may be able to provide you with further advice and reassurance.

Our Patient Services Team are also here if you would like to have a chat, please feel free to call 01789 867502.

Katrina.

[RichMert]

I am surprised that you are experiencing sleep problems coming off of the Amiodarone. I would have expected the problem to be with the Bisoprolol but only when you are trying to come off of it. Regardless to how they advise stopping Bisoprolol, you need to do it over a couple of weeks, getting down to chopping the tablet in half then taking half every other day otherwise, you will be climbing the walls (potentially).

[JoDogBlue in reply to RichMert]

Thanks for your thoughts. I wasn't aware that bisoprolol caused sleep issues. I was told I'll feel tired easily on them. I'm hoping I can come off both bisoprolol and edoxaban if the ablation works. I've just had a bruise that lasted weeks and can see how much edoxaban slows down healing

[RichMert in reply to JoDogBlue]

Although I had Amiodarone in tablet form, they sped up the process by using IV into each arm which resulted in infection and antibiotics. I believe the IV should have been inserted near my neck to prevent arm issues. The drug is toxic but last resort if no other drug works. The ablation is the right decision. I had 2 about 10 years ago. I am 85% fixed. PAF free but suffer from time to time with Ectopic beats which I understand can be a biproduct of ablation. The amiodarone has a 6 month afterlife but, realistically 3 months noticeable.

[Jajarunner in reply to RichMert]

Believe me, you do not want amiodarone via the neck. It's the worse thing I've ever had done. Far worse than an awake ablation or swallowing an echocardiogram... 😂

[Mickey16]

Yes - I had multiple adverse reactions to Amiodarone - dramatic inability to sleep and dreadful nightmares when I was asleep. Stomach pains, fluid coating my lungs and cough amongst others.