Hi. After Bisoprolol and Flecainide stopped working I was prescribed Amiodarone last September initially on a loading dose of 3 x 200. This was reduced to 1 x 200 then raised to 2 x 200 when lower dose failed. My question is: do people on Amiodarone have regular blood checks? My blood was tested after I started but I’m wondering if I should be pushing for regular checks.
Thanks.
I was on Dronedarrone which is (so I'm told) not as toxic as Amiodarone and had a blood test every month for the 1st six months. Then it went to every 3 months - then six monthly & finally yearly. My thoughts are that you should be having similar.
Having said that and reading up on Dr Google it does indicate that you should have six monthly reviews. If you are not happy, ask your GP for a telephone appointment and see what their thoughts on it might be.
Thanks I did phone GP just now. They don’t do bloods anymore! Needs to be done by cardiology who were helpful and scheduled me for next week.
I can't believe your GPs doesn't do blood tests! Six monthly or annual liver and kidney function tests are normal with any long standing condition such as AF and more often with some medications.
I was told it’s a new thing. I think if the GP decides on tests then you are referred to in-house phlebotomist. But because cardiologist is responsible for my treatment and putting me on Amiodarone then health centre told me I had to be tested by him. I’ll raise it next time I go to GP for anything else.
Yes, this has gone from a joke to ridiculous. I recently had ct angiogram and my doctor would not give me the results because the test was suggested by Ambulatory Care at the local hospital. The GP said it was the responsibility of them to tell me the results, although they had the results at my practice. I had to wait another two weeks to get the results via telephone call.
my step mother took amioderone long term. It seriously damaged her lungs. Be careful
As did my brother and only in his 60s.
Yes! I get thyroid liver kidney function tested every three months. NHS
I had an annual thyroid function test when I was on amiodarone.
You need regular tests to start with amiodarone. It's not usually used long term (unless necessary) as it us a pretty toxic drug. For me it caused underactive thyroid which is a permanent thing.I also had a few eye issues, now resolved, and they monitor liver function.
Others get on with it without problems but you need to be aware of the risks associated with the drug. I imagine the cardiologist and/ or pharmacist went through that with you.
Cardiologist explained everything which is why I’m wondering about blood tests. Thanks
Dronedarone is Amiodarone without the iodine element. I can say that Dronedarone has the same ill effects as Amiodarone if it is not tolerated, as my case was written up and published by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, and the paper placed on their web site. Suffice to say that both drugs caused pulmonary toxicity and consequential permanent damage to my lungs. I was luckier than the 6 in 100,00 who were / are seriously affected by those drugs: four die, one will have a lung transplant, and one will be confined to a wheelchair on supplementary oxygen. I was told in hospital that I was destined for a wheelchair, but a history of running, cycling, and using a Power Breathe, meant that I was able to avoid that. I was subsequently on a heavy dosage of steroids for twelve months. It might have been a coincidence, but I later had a stroke that caused a permanent visual disability, so no more driving and cycling. On the positive side, I bought a Concept2 rowing machine and I've clocked over 2 million metres on it.
It is essential that you have six monthly blood tests if you are prescribed either drug. There is also a stated handover procedure between secondary and primary care for ongoing care.
I knew back in the day that It had paroxysmal AF that was exacerbated by cardiac exercise. I regularly hit around 190 bpm in Spin sprints in the gym, without any adverse effects. An EP told me at the time that I didn't need an anticoagulant, as my high heart rate was due to being very fit. I went on to have a stroke!
For all of the above, I participate in university studies about stroke, and talk each year to second or third year medical students about stroke and AF. The worrying aspect was a small group of third year medical students who had never heard of FAST. I still come across people who don't know that a stroke in the visual processing part of the brain, or a subararchnoid hemorrhage does not produce FAST. My ambulance paramedics didn't know that, so they delayed taking me to A&E for an hour. It's essential that we lived-experience people communicate with each other through forums such as Health Unlocked, but also engage with the medical community.
Essential to have regular tests. I am just recovering from amiodarone induced thyroiditis. My T4 test went from previous 21 normal to 79. It is back to normal after a steroid course and I will not be prescribed it again. Before that it worked well for 2 years so you must keep having 6 month checks
Yes you should have regular blood tests whilst on amiodorone, I was on for 3 months before and after my 2nd cardioversion and was tested monthly. Towards the end of the course the thyroid test was slightly higher so - whether or not I was to have continued with amiodorone or nor I would have come off then because of this. After coming off amiodorone I was tested again within the following 6 weeks and the thyroid count had gone back down to within normal range.
There has been an excellent study demonstrating the great safety of this oft-feared drug when used in lower doses (search for "low dose amiodarone safety" and you'll find relief in reading it).
That said, I think it requires regular and careful monitoring of the eyes, lungs, liver and kidneys owing to the levels of iodine it contains. Be sure your GP keeps on top of this.
Steve
Pulmonary Function studies should be done when you are first started o n Amioderone and repeated afterseveral months to make sure you are not developing irreversible lung damage. This is in addition to regular bloodwork..thyroid and liver Function studies etc.Best of luck..etheral
l find, with the climate of today, you have to ask for monitoring of your condition yourself from your GP. The problem for us is not always having the adequate medical knowledge of knowing what needs monitoring and what doesn’t. Thank goodness for this forum so that we can find out that information.
Yes. I’m going to ask GP to confirm this then if need be I’ll contact my local health trust.
I was on amioderone for 6yrs. I had 3 monthly blood tests and yearly chest xrays throughout that time.
I’ve been on amiodarone for over three years and have regular six-monthly blood tests. They were initiated by the docs but the practice pharmacist makes sure they are done. High risk drug monitoring they call it.
Hi, can I ask why you was prescribed Amiodarone ?
When flecainide stopped working I was put on digoxin which really didn’t agreed with me. Was quite ill and in AF every week. I’ve to have an ablation but meanwhile I’m on Amiodarone. Seems to be ok but I’m mindful of what cardiologist said as out blood tests.
Hopes the Ablation will sort it for you 🙂
Thanks. Might be a while but meanwhile Amiodarone helps, but I'm pushing for blood test.
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