Rythmol/Propafenone

[Debjimmay]

Has anyone been prescribed this antiarrhythmic? Due to the flecainide not working for me, my doctor wants me to go on this drug. I’m really hesitant to try another drug because of the Flecainide not working. Just wondering if anyone has ever tried this medication and if so, did it work?

[NewOne2023]

I've been on propafenone (daily) from the beginning of my afib diagnose back in October'23. It's a standard antiarythmic in Croatia just like Flecainide in Western Europe although I know some people in Croatia who where prescribed Flecainide from the beginning. I stopped taking it a month ago since I had cryoablation in March. I don't know the difference between propafenone and flecainide since I never took flec, but from what I saw online, they both do the same thing. With propafenone I had some side effects like metalic taste in my mouth and probably some other minor stuff that I never managed to confirm that it was due to taking it, but overal I managed it ok and I had far more side effects from bisoprolol. I was on propafenone 2×150mg a day with a period of few weeks in the beginning when I was taking 4×150mg and it still didn't protect me 100% from afib episodes. But of course, everyone is different, so it might work differently for you.

[Bikica1234 in reply to NewOne2023]

Oprostite javljam se iz Hrvatske .Imala sam ablaciju prije 4 godine u Magdaleni ( Krapinske Toplice) radi atrijske tahikardije. Mislili su da imam Afib. međutim na elektro fiziološkom ispitivanju isprovocirali su AT i to riješili. Međutim moj problem su ekstra sistole VES koje jako teško doživljavam.Imala sam ih i ranije ,prije ablacije, one su mi I dalje ostale nakon ablacije.Pijem bisoprolol od 2.5 mg i ništa mi ne pomaze, samo mi malo smiri frekvenciju npr. s 80 na 60 a za VES baš ne vidim neke pomoci.Prije ablacije sam nekoliko godina bila na Rytmonormu 2× 150 mg dnevno, nekada čak i 3× 150 mg. Malo mi je pomogao ali sam i dalje imala epizode tahikardije od 200 otkucaja u minuti.I zato sam morala na ablaciju.Medjutim moj problem su VES I SVES I dalje. Sada sam na terapiji bisoprolol i Rytmonorm po potrebi.Bisoprolol mi ne pomaze pa sam ga smanjila na 1.25 mg dnevno a Rytmonorm uzimam po 1× 150( mozda je to mala doza ) potrebi.Idem na kontrole i doktori kazu da su te VES I SVES bezopasne međutim meni smetaju .Ne znam kako da sebi pomognem.Imala sam prije nekoliko mjeseci holter koji sam nosila 7 dana.I pokazao je u jednom momentu u noćnim satima kada sam spavala 5 VES za redom. To se već smatra Ventrikularnom tahikardijom.Ja pitam kardiologe sto sad? Pa zar VT nije opasna a oni mi kazu ništa to nije, kratko traje i neće se ništa dogoditi.Da se ne brinem.Mene je strah .Kada ste vi imali ablaciju., gdje i tko vam je radio ablaciju ?Kako se sada osjećate i pijete li nešto od terapije?

Lp.Biljana

[Debjimmay in reply to Bikica1234]

I’m so sorry. I was unable to translate your message to English.

[Bikica1234 in reply to Debjimmay]

Sorry, I'm calling from Croatia. I had an ablation 4 years ago in Magdalena (Krapinske Toplice) for atrial tachycardia. They thought I had Afib. however, on the electrophysiological examination, they provoked AT and resolved it. However, my problem is extra systole VES, which I experience very hard. I had them before, before the ablation, they still remained after the ablation. I drink bisoprolol of 2.5 mg and it doesn't help me, it just calms down my frequency a little, for example. from 80 to 60, and I don't really see any help for VES. Before the ablation, I was on Rytmonorm 2x 150 mg a day, sometimes even 3x 150 mg for several years. It helped me a little, but I still had episodes of tachycardia of 200 beats per minute. That's why I had to undergo an ablation. However, my problem is ALL AND ALL. Now I am on therapy with bisoprolol and Rytmonorm as needed. Bisoprolol doesn't help me, so I reduced it to 1.25 mg a day and I take Rytmonorm 1x 150 (maybe it's a small dose) as needed. And they are ALL harmless, but they bother me. I don't know how to help myself. I had a holter a few months ago that I wore for 7 days. And it showed at one point in the night hours when I slept 5 VES in a row. This is already considered Ventricular Tachycardia. I ask cardiologists what now? So isn't VT dangerous and they tell me it's nothing, it only lasts a short time and nothing will happen. Not to worry. I'm scared

[Debjimmay in reply to Bikica1234]

Hi Bikica1234. Thank you for translating for me. I’m really sorry you are having so many issues. Here is the problem……doctors, family and friends seem to have NO idea how stressful and scary this can be. Only someone that is going through this can understand. I know stress makes it worse but it’s so hard NOT to get stressed when your heart is racing and feels like your heart is jumping out of your chest.

I get so upset when the doctor tells you nothing is wrong and you will be ok. They tell me my EKG is normal when they check it in the office. They only run the EKG for 15 seconds! How can they tell if it’s ok in that short amount of time?

I love how you said “I don’t know how to help myself”. That’s exactly how I feel. I’m feel like I’m trying to figure this out all by myself, and yes, I’m extremely scared also.

[Bikica1234 in reply to Debjimmay]

I am constantly looking for causes that could affect the heart. I have done a lot of research. Now I will change the electrophysiologist. I can't come to terms with not being able to find the real cause of the problem. I know that there is a reason and that there is also a solution.

[LowT]

I've been on it for ten years with good results. At times mild metallic taste. I'm taking 750 mg/day in three divided doses.

I think you can take up to 900 mg/day.

I also take potassium and magnesium. This has worked well for me.

[DrBook in reply to LowT]

Hi, LowT. I'm considering taking potassium and magnesium. Would you be kind enough to share more details (e.g., dosages and type of magnesium)? Thank you.

Brian

[Debjimmay in reply to LowT]

Thank you the positive message. I asked my doctor if I can try magnesium since the Flecainide isn’t working, but he doesn’t want me to take it. Not sure why.

[Buffafly]

I took it for years, I hated it but you should never go on someone else’s experience with drugs. It is the same class as Flecainide but combined with a beta blocker type drug so u til I developed flutter I took it alone which was better. It worked up to a point ie not 100% but I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t taken it. Not very positive I know but worth a try.

[BobD Volunteer]

My EP switched me from flecainide to propafanone at our first meeting and I was on it for many years till my third ablation finally stopped my AF. The only sde effect I noticed was that on very high doses (3x300mg daily) I had a slight metallic taste all the time. The benefit is that it has also a beta blocking function so no additional drugs needed.

[opal11uk]

I used to take Disopyramide, for almost 20 years, and then it went out of production with no date given by the manufacturer for the future, I rang every pharmacy in my area and also the Manufacturer directly but absolutely nothing so cardio put me on to Properfenone. I was extremely anxious but pleased to say all was well and I do not have a problem with them HOWEVER I do take them separately from my other drug Bisoporal and they don't mix well so I am informed. Good luck x

[kitttycat]

Hello I have been taking propafernone for 7 or 8 weeks. - it is making me feel unsteady, I feel pressure in my head and I am very fatigued. Otherwise my heart and blood pressure are fine. I have a call in to the cardiologist over the effects I am experiencing. Before the propafernone I took flecainide for one month and couldnt handle it, I was nauseous, dizzy, felt horrible. I was given amiodarone for 6 months before the above by a previous cardiologist. These are the only medicines I have ever taken. Best of luck to you.

[1Golf]

Hi, yes I have been on this drug for over a year and like many others it works until they have to piggyback it with something else. I find it much kinder than flecanide and it allows me to play golf three times a week so I’m happy. Hope this helps.

[Cookie24]

Flecainide did not suit me. I felt worse on Flecainide. I switched to Propafenone and have been taking it for7 years.