About to start this tomorrow 3 x a day for a week, then 2 x a day for a week then, then 1 a day for a few months. During that period I will have a further cardioversion attempt and then if I am in NSR, an ablation.
I am after any advice re taking the tablets, and if anyone had an early side affect etc.
I also take Edoxaban and Nebivilol.
They advised me to check heart rate daily and reduce Nebivilol if HR dropped below 45
Thanks
Hi, I started Amiodarone on new years day , same loading dose as you and been them on the 1 a day maintenance dose since mid January. After 6 months of persistent (24/7) A Fib they chemically converted me to normal sinus rhythm in just 10 days, therefore Cardioversion that was planned for mid Feb didn't need to happen. I'm currently waiting for cardiologist to come back to me with next steps which I think will include ablation, meanwhile they told me to continue the one a day but I know they don't want me on them long term..In terms of side effects I have had occasional constipation, itchy scalp but nothing else, I also saw optician last week and no corneal deposits so far. I also had full suite of bloods taken on 10th Feb and will get them redone regularly to ensure thyroid etc are ok. Also take care in the better weather that is forecast, plenty of factor 50 and a hat.
I think consensus on here it's a good drug for restoring nsr for many people but the potential side effects are quite a concern.
I've never had a Cardioversion but I'm pleased the meds have put me back in nsr but I do want off them asap, good luck.
Thanks very much for that. A similar situation to me. I’ve been in persistent AF for nearly 2 years and probably have a lesser chance of sorting this out now.
I was wondering what your average HR is. Although persistent my range tends to be 55- 85. I am not really aware of it apart from trying to get up hills as quickly as I used to….
Did you take the initial loading 3 a day at certain times. I’m thinking 7am 3pm then 9pm
Hi, Resting heart rate before I started Amiodarone and when in persistent AF was a bit low at high 30's overnight and around high 40's to low 50's during the day (supported by a 24 hour holter monitor) so cardiology suggested weaning off 2 5mg bisoprolol and I was off that literally the day before I started Amiodarone. So now without the bisoprolol and with Amiodarone my night rhr varies between 48 to 60, my day resting is typically 60 and my average is mid 50's. You may notice some changes initially but it will probably settle down again. When I take a hilly walk it goes to about 120., cheers
Had to do similar, but the evening dose I found kept me awake, until early hours. So I took my last one about 8 pm, only other issue they gave me bonkers dreams.
Good luck... It worked for me, got my EP last December so far so good.
Be ready for the crazy dreamsBe careful in sunlight, be sure to wear factor 50+ if you plan on even looking out of a window.
Read the list of side effects, any issues with your breathing or sight seek medical advice asap
I have been on amiodarone for nearly four years and started with the same loading regime as you. During that loading period I felt a bit weird some of the time, slept badly and had some bad dreams when I did sleep. Occasionally felt a bit of nausea. None of it was awful, just a bit weird as I say. I spaced the three doses out across the day much as you describe. From about the third or fourth day I was in constant NSR (and have remained so ever since) and my family commented on how much better I looked. It was onwards and upwards from then on and my QOL improved dramatically. It does lower your heart rate and after about a year my maintenance dose was reduced to 100mg daily to address that. I have felt extremely well on it and am so glad I was put on amiodarone - it has been like a wonder drug for me. You do need to have blood tests every six months to check your thyroid, liver etc, and if you have any breathing problems get them checked out urgently. The only side effects I’ve had are sensitivity to the sun - you really have to wear factor 50 and a hat - and corneal deposits. However corneal deposits are of no consequence and don’t affect your sight. My consultant ophthalmologist assured me of this, so if you happen to have an optician who doesn’t understand amiodarone, go to someone else!
Many thanks for all of that. If you were able to share, I wondered how bad your symptoms were and how they affected your life before you went into NSR. Also were you ever planning an ablation as well?
I had paroxysmal AF and was getting more frequent and worse episodes before I started on amiodarone, but actually the worst thing for me was that I was almost constantly having ectopics. They started suddenly one night and over the space of about four months they plagued me all the time, and about two months down the line the AF started. I honestly find it hard to describe how bad I felt during that time - really really dreadful. I could hardly do anything and felt as if I had no QOL at all. My heart was just constantly going mad, either with the ectopics or the AF. It was a huge relief to me that amiodarone put a stop to the ectopics as well. At the time, I fully intended to have an ablation within a year or so but as time went on I was feeling so well that I never had the courage to rock the boat! Also, I was scared that the ectopics might return. My cardiologist is fully supportive of my decision to stay on amiodarone unless anything changes.
Just look out for any of the possible but very unlikely toxicity problems and you’ll be fine. If you search for “low dose amiodarone safety” you’ll find a good study that will be helpful.
Steve
I suggest you consult with your doctor about getting regular blood tests to monitor the impact of amiodarone on thyroid and kidney function.
A month after my Ablation, l went in to persistent Afib - Amiodarone 200mg help reduce my Afib episodes and high heart rate by 50% , it did not stop them. After three months l became very short of breath and diagnosed with organising pneumonia possibly caused by a side effect of Amiodarone. However, l did suffer from this condition a year previously due to viral pneumonia and given the all clear. I’m told that this lung problem can reoccur and that Amiodarone maybe triggered it. No other side effects experienced.
The Amiodarone was discontinued, and l was on Flecanide 200mgs a day and Adiezem 120 mg a day, and coupled with the half life of Amiodarone l was Afib free for five months, -bliss- once it was out of my system lm back to persistent Afib and a high heart rate, just been prescribed Digoxin Fingers crossed.
I had been on Amiodarone from 2010 to 2024, most of the time I was on 200 mg/day. My primary side effect was sun sensitivity. And corneal deposits. In a way, the otherwise harmless deposits were a benefit. As I am an American, having the corneal deposits meant that Medicare would pay for my eye exams. Otherwise Medicare doesn't. I was very fortunate to not experience some of the severe effects attributed to this drug. I hope your experience will be similar.
Thanks, did sun cream prevent it getting worse?
Well, good sunscreen and protective clothing/hat really limited the damage. Also, I'm not extremely fair skinned (I tan) which helped.
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