electrophysiologist claims my heart rate is low when it's not in tach and flecainide has the reputation of lowering it further. however upon my research flecainide seems to be safer with less toxicity/side effects. amiodarone has a 2 /5 rating while flec has 4. idk what to do as the specialist presents himself as knowing best but those that took amiodarone do not encourage it and claim it has messed up with their health, even killing some. >.> exhausted & confused
Why is amiodarone considered a "Last resort drug" in comparison to flec?
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I can only comment in Flecainide and yes it can lower HR especially when combined with a beta blocker. With permission from cardiologist I have reduced dose of both and combined with my healthy lifestyle and daily exercise I feel great. He sometimes jokes that I’m only just above homeopathic dose of beta blocker and I’ve reduced the Flecanide down to around 20-22mg twice a day. I began this regime a year ago and aside from a few hours in AF last month due to dehydration I’ve had a good year. Each of us is different in the way we react. My normal resting HR was 60-65 now with the drugs it’s 55-60 on the higher dose of drugs it got into the 40’s.
Yes Metoprolol is one of the beta blockers which is what I’m on. I started at 50mg then went down to 25mg twice a day then eventually down to 10.5mg twice a day. Given that the lowest dose recommended is 12.5mg I’d say he was suggesting it probably would be less effective at 10.5mg. Some doctors don’t accept that homeopathy actually works so what he was really saying… it doesn’t do much at the little dosage
Yes that’s correct. The doctor was making a joke… saying that my dose was that low it may not be very effective….suggesting homeopathy is not very effective
I agree with Espeegee. I would try fleicanide first and see what happens. You don’t say what dose. Some use it as a PIP. This is more commonly used and tolerated than Amiodarone which has more side effects. We are not medics and our health history is different, so go with your own instinct.
No, just comparing the two drugs and a personal opinion, but l not a medic and don’t know your medical history. I am due to see an EP in March and will, most likely, be faced with a similar decision. Knowledge is power so it pays to do your homework on drugs. Good luck.
I don't take anything for my Afib, long story! I have however come across one man who was prescribed Amiodarone for his heart condition, one of the side effects is on the lungs, sadly it was the lung issue that caused him to die. Only one person but looking at side effects and comparing is imo the best way to decide which you might prefer.
Nope, his wife was very upset because she couldn't understand why, he'd never smoked. If you read up about the drug I'm sure you will find what it can do
Please start a thread on this subject. Interesting to hear.
Condolences to your friend.
Would be good to know exact type of lung disease. Lung cancer can occur in non-smokers. Normally, patients on Amiodarone receive frequent health checks to prevent adverse effects.
I am just wondering why your EP prescribed Amiodarone as preferred drug unless other meds haven't worked? I was put on it after my ablation as had quite a few rhythm problems and my EP wanted to avoid Flecainide (which I took before the ablation)as he felt it was pro- arrhythmic under my circumstances. Amiodarone knocked all the arrhythmias on the head . I was on it for 6 weeks. I believe it can be a problem if taken long term but obviously it affects people differently. I had no problem with it.
Personally, I’d listen to your EP. As for flec being the safer drug - it’s definitely not for me. It has the ability to put me into a deadly arrhythmia (ventricular tachycardia or VT) plus I have a LBBB which also means I can’t take it as it will make this worse.
The cardiologist put me on it to calm my heart and it worked perfectly. I was only on it for a short while to put me back into Normal sinus rhythm and help my heart carry on healing after the ablation. I didn't need to take it longer than 6 weeks. The only bad things I have read about it are on this forum but they are many other people taking it ( some long term) with no problems whatsoever. The best is to talk to your doctor about the possible side effects. But if you do take it you will be monitored with regular blood tests.Take care.
No it was the other way round . I had the ablation then had rhythm problems after and was put on Amiodarone 3 weeks after the ablation as I had HR of 160 bpm regular and irregular and a very poor ejection fraction (30%). The drug put me back into and maintained normal rhythm almost immediately (2 days). I took it for 8 weeks I think.
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What do you think?
Flecainide: Worse AFib attack ever after being prescribed at a+e admission
Cardiologist or electrophysiologist?
WHETHER TO COME OFF AMIODARONE - DIFFICULT DECISION.
