Amitriptyline and AF

[nmr1h]

Hi,

I have had AF which was sorted by an ablation in June 2023, and have not had any episodes since.

Just recently I have been having problems sleeping due to my relationship imploding, and have been prescribed Amitriptyline to help me sleep when I have days with panic attacks.

To be on the safe side I decided to check if the medication could have any impact on the heart, and from what I have read it can be linked to heart arrhythmias , but the material I have found seems to be more in connection with its use as an anti depressive.

As an anti depressive the dose is roughly 5-10 fold what I have been told to take, so it may be less of a problem than I think it is.

Does anyone on the forum have any experience of using the drug for sleep disorder and whether that ever had any effect on their AF?

Brian

[Franks-Nan]

Hello, i have persistent AF and am on amitriptyline for about 6 months 10mg, it takes a while to get going in your system but it does help with sleep and its not made my AF any worse i am also on mirtazapine for mental health stuff.

[nmr1h in reply to Franks-Nan]

Thank you!

[Buffafly]

I don’t have any experience but what I will say is that I’ve had several new medications prescribed this year and every one of them says it can cause arrhythmia. Today I have had two medications prescribed which say they interact with anticoagulants! I suspect that because AF is so random and also affected by digestive disturbances that meds are blamed directly for any occurrence.

I hope it works for you, my sympathies x

[nmr1h in reply to Buffafly]

Thank you!

[richard_jw]

SI take amitriptyline for ibs and to help me sleep. I take 20mg with the approval of my cardiologist. I do get a lot of ectioics but have not noticed any difference between now and before I started to take amitriptyline. I don't have atrial fibrillation though

[Crystalbowl]

Yes. I was prescribed 30 mg Amatriptyline a few years’ ago for pain relief. It didn’t do much for that but it did help me to sleep which, as a lifelong insomniac, was wonderful. I don’t recall it having any effect on my AF although I am asymptomatic for that. I took it for about 2 years by which time the effect had worn off so I took myself off it gradually. However, I am pleased to say I am still sleeping well on the whole.

[nmr1h in reply to Crystalbowl]

That’s very encouraging thank you

[sunlovah]

Also interested in responses.I was prescribed duloxetine for pain relief (same group of nerve suppressant drugs) I read the side effect of irregular HB, but went with it . After a month I flipped out into AF (usually happens approximately every 3 months) unsure if there was any connection, may not have been, was advised by A&E consultant to stop. Ive had an ablation one month ago, now GP suggesting Nortripyline (same med group) for pain, I don't wish to 'poke the bear' after ablation so declined at present.......unless someone knows of something that doesn't potentially have the same side effet?

[jd2004]

I was about to have it prescribed (by a prescribing nurse) for pain. A telephone appointment. I questioned this as I’m sure it had previously played a role in the development of my AF. I was told it was safe but 5 minutes later he phoned to say that I was right and I shouldn’t take it. I was prescribed something called nefopam instead. Amitryptoline can cause arythmia.

[nmr1h in reply to jd2004]

Interesting, thank you, sounds like I need to circle back with the GP and double check.

[colourblue]

Hello, years ago I was prescribed Amitriptyline to help me sleep, it worked very well. However, when I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation my GP took me off them. As has already been said best to consult your GP or Pharmacist. Best wishes.I