Dronedarone - thoughts ?

[Dyldog]

I wondered if anyone could share their experience with dronedarone please ? I'm 4 years into my AF journey and as well as 2 unsuccessful ablations I've tried all of the first line AAD's including sotalol, propafenone and flecainide. Unfortunately the beast just won't go away and the burden is getting increasingly high. My cardiologist has recommended that I try dronedarone as the next line of attack but having researched the contra-indications and side effects I really don't like the sound of it ! Can anyone reassure me ? Thanks so much for being such a great supportive group

[BobD Volunteer]

Are you sure you are not confusing Dronedarone with Amiodarone? The latter does have lots of contra indications. It is oftne said it doesn't have side effects, it has effects!

Dronedarone (Multaq) is generally much safer provided the usual anual blood tests for liver and kidney are done but these will surely by part of your regular treatment.

[Dyldog in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob, that’s interesting and reassuring, I’ll probably give it a go in my seemingly never ending quest to get some control over this stubborn disease !

I do find the regular tests can slip through the net though, they really have to be pushed for and reminders set. Maybe that’s just my own experience but there certainly isn’t the level of care and monitoring that you’d hope for readily available. No one has mentioned liver and kidney tests, I had to research that myself and there certainly seems to be an element of if you don’t ask you don’t get. Healthcare pressures generally I guess

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Dyldog]

All part of my anual blood tests which I have had since starting with my current GP in 2004. Always during the month of my birthday though this year is was week early.

[President2012]

I have been on Donedarone for the past two years. It has not stopped me from having AF episodes but they are much less frequent and do not last as long as they used to. I have six monthly blood checks on liver and kidneys. Best of luck.

[Vince1001]

It's been great for me. 3 years on and considerably reduced AF burden. I've got my life back! Here's a link for my experiences after 10 months ( I need to update...)

healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

Best of luck...

[Dyldog in reply to Vince1001]

Thanks, that’s very helpful, always good to hear of first hand experiences. Hope you continue to feel well

[4Pip]

I was on dronoderone. I felt as though I had been completely sedated for 9 months. Very low pulse rate but it took my panic attacks ( severe ) away but I lost 9 months. You see these wild life shows well I felt like a hunter came and darted me and I was knocked out. No one bothered as all tests looked good. Never again

[Dyldog in reply to 4Pip]

Oh dear, I’m really sorry to hear that, I guess we all have different experiences, sometimes of the exact same medication. I hope you’re feeling better now and can find the right solution for you, difficult though it is I can vouch for that !

[4Pip in reply to Dyldog]

Changed to amioderine and then three ablations later I’m doing very well and NSR but dronoderone was my tough one. Good luck

[KootenayTrails]

My EP/Pharmacist tried Dronedarone on me when first diagnosed with AF, stating that they try it first as less side effects than amiodarone. I did not have any side effects at all from it. However it did not reduce AF frequency or burden for me, so was switched to amiodarone. Still no side effects for me, amiodarone greatly reduced the burden, but eventually AF almost daily again until ablation May 2023. Completely Af-free since 🤞. All the best to you.

[Tomred]

Been taking dronederone and bisoprolol for approx 4 years both have quietened my afib somewhat , no real discernable sides to speak of so far.

[Gertsen]

I was on it for under a year no side effects but it did not stop my AF so there was no point in carrying on with it and my EP told me to stop.

[RVine3]

I have been on Multaq for a year and three months following cardioversion which put me into NSR. Don't now how long NSR will last but cardiologist says it's that medication that is keeping me there - for now. Regular blood tests show kidney, liver normal. However sometimes I do have less energy and get tired more quickly, sometimes not. But so far I prefer that than the AFIB symptoms I had out of NSR.