Amiodarone

[Gowers]

Regarding this medication - Anyone else having this problem in their their area? I've been told by pharmacies it is not available & no date when it will be (worcestershire) seems there are productiom issues.

I will be contacting my gp & cardiologist. As I dont think?? it shouldn be stopped except under supervision + can take months to leave the system.

I have a feeling I maybe put back on Bisoporal which was not as effective as Amiodarone.

Anyone else having this problem in their area?

Out of interest - If for a different reason you were given a different medication what was it please & did you have to stop Amiodarone for a while before taking new medication?

One chemist told me Amiodarone is available in liquid form but due to costs probably won't be given as alternative.

Your replies will be welcome

[Jalia]

These supply issues are becoming a real problem

.Many years ago I has been taking Amiodarone for about 18 months and was then switched over to Disopyramide ( supply issues with this now...) . I was told just to switch over. I was not given any instructions to taper off.

[Gowers in reply to Jalia]

Thank you for the information

[John3333333]

I work in healthcare. You can thank all the Brexiteers for medication shortages. Dronedarone is a possible alternative to amiodarone. It is less toxic, but not always as effective as amiodarone. Also, bisoprolol is not a substitute for amiodarone.

[Gowers in reply to John3333333]

No, I didn't think Bisoporal was a substitute - told today same problem with Dronedarone. Thank you for the reply

[Jalia in reply to John3333333]

It seems that when anti arrhythmia drugs become unavailable, for whatever reason , then Bisoprolol seems to be the drug which is suggested instead . I've found this when my drug Disopyramide became unobtainable.

[Gowers in reply to Jalia]

Yes, I thought that would be the alternative medication- thank you

[opal11uk]

I had this with Disopyramide, having taken it for 20 years and that was down to a manufacturing problem to was put on to Propanafol, didn't like the idea of the change but have no alternative other than to change, thank goodness there are alternatives and to be honest I find this quite a worry because I hear there are quite a few vital drugs that are proving hard to source.

[Gowers in reply to opal11uk]

Yes, your right- there are various issues concerning production supply of various medications. Thank you for the information

[Still_Breathing]

I was switched to Digoxin from amioderone about two years ago. It seems to be OK for me. Speak to your cardiologist/gp/Pharmacist.

[Gowers in reply to Still_Breathing]

I was on Digoxin for few years before my 4 ablations - yes I'm going to get in touch with cardiologist. Thanks for information

[CDreamer]

Yes, my husband is about to run out and no knowledge of when supplies will be available.

It’s a real concern.

I know when this happened with other drugs for another condition our charity representatives campaigned directly to the Health Minister so we were able to access imports - but that was way before Brexit!

It is very worrying because unless we have direct access to an EP, how do we get the change of drug? GP’s won’t normally prescribe antiarrythmics.

@Admin Any ideas?

[Gowers in reply to CDreamer]

Jus5 found out hospital where they did the ablations have Amiodarone in stock so shall try & get paper prescription to them.

[opal11uk in reply to CDreamer]

I was directed to the Heart Failure specialist nurse once they realised after over a year that I was actually in per,A/F.......they had been testing me for Asthma and other breathing symptoms when in fact I was in heart failure, my heart caused my symptoms. i.e. breathless, dizzy and cough and I have to say she was marvellous. She worked directly under my Cardiologist so verified everything with him, she increased my heart drugs, prescribed a diuretic and monitored me over a 6 week period with me recording each morning my heart rate, BP, weight due to fluid retention etc., until finally back in sinus and pacemaker keeping me paced at 60rpm, she also sort his advice when I was unable to source Disopyramide and he in turn recommended Propanafol which the nurse then prescribed, so she was monitoring my drugs, so my advice would be, contact your cardiologists secretary who will report to her boss or specialist nurse technician and go from there. Good luck x

[BeeBee79]

Not a problem in my area (Liverpool) but there was a mix up at the hospital last week and I had none for a few days…

[CDreamer in reply to BeeBee79]

We will all move to Liverpool, where I grew up!

[BeeBee79 in reply to CDreamer]

Yes do! Whereabouts did you live?

[CDreamer in reply to BeeBee79]

SE - Sussex now.

[CDreamer in reply to BeeBee79]

oh where DID I live, Thomas Drive, right opposite what used to be Broadgreen hospital, now the Liv Chest & Heart.

Last time I drove that way it was virtually under a motorway😩

[Morges in reply to CDreamer]

Ooh my mum was born and bred in Broad Green and my aunt Lilian Ruscoe lived in Thomas Road - used to run a little shop, sweets and tobacco I think.

Small world- sorry to digress!!

[BeeBee79 in reply to CDreamer]

That's my hospital - I don't live nearby though. I'm on the outskirts

[Gowers in reply to BeeBee79]

My hospital pharmacy is very helpful as they do have stock. Thanks for reply

[Ducky2003]

I had a repeat prescription about 10 days ago and my Amiodarone was supplied. I have had past issues with Ad Cal tablets and Monopost eye drops. Apparently, there's only one manufacturer of Monopost in the World so if there's a hiccup with supply, it tends to be major.You need to speak to your EP as to what can be prescribed instead as Amiodarone tends to be the last in the line of drugs so I'm guessing they'll have to switch to something less effective.

Hope there's not an ongoing issue or I'll be in the same boat and can't take Flecanide or Soltalol.

Ps..... I'm West Midlands.

[Gowers in reply to Ducky2003]

I'm in Worcester area but, just found out QE pharmacy has them in stock - being a large hospital where my consultant is based I will try & get paper copy to them. Thanks for the information. Think you got your last prescription just before there was issues with production

[Danny44]

hi there I live in East Sussex no issues with supply that know of.Dangerous to stop it I have massive AF attacks if I stop taking.Yes speak to your Gp surgery they should know.

[Gowers in reply to Danny44]

Same here though af not as bad as before due to ablations. It's certainly been a very effective medication for me. Thanks for the information

[Danny44 in reply to Gowers]

Pleasure

[CDreamer in reply to Danny44]

Also in E Sussex - it has been a problem but rang pharmacy today and looks like it should be in this afternoon.

[Danny44 in reply to CDreamer]

Well I haven’t had any problems yet but will post if supply looks difficult

[Visigoth]

This is a worry. I’ve had no problems to date in Wiltshire but am due to get a repeat prescription very soon so am crossing my fingers! I’ll be devastated if I can’t get amiodarone - it changed my life and I don’t want to go back to life without it!

[DoubleEm]

For the last 12 months my husband has had to collect 3 monthly supplies of Amiodorone from the hospital Pharmacy (prescribed by Consultant) as they centralised supplies due to shortages at individual Pharmacies. He has just been transferred back to local Pharmacy for future supplies.

Hope you manage to resolve your problem

[Gowers in reply to DoubleEm]

Pharmacy has 100mg jn stock so very pleased about that

[MRockwell]

Amiodarone has a very long half life(this is the time it take for 50% of a dose to be eliminated by the body) It can take weeks to be totally cleared from your body...so have to be careful interactions with other medicines. You should be checked regularly for thyroid, liver and lungs...amiodarone can cause side effects which you may be aware of.

[Gowers in reply to MRockwell]

Thanks for information