Amiodarone side/after effects.

[seantemp58]

Hi. Had triple bypass 2 months ago and was prescribed Amiodarone 200mg. Visted my surgeon 1 week who has replaced it with bisoprolol 2.5mg but am feeling extremely tired with aching arms and leg. Was previously on bisoprolol 5mg with no issues was wondering this is side effect of amiodarone as otherwise recovering very well. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[jeanjeannie50]

I believe Amiodarone takes months to leave the body, so guess that's why you've been given a low dose of Bisoprolol. It may well be the combination of the two drugs making you feel the way you are. I've taken Amiodarone on two separate occasions, not a nice drug!

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Have you a blood pressure meter? I recommend the Omron M30. It is worth checking as besides dizziness and nausea hypotension can make you quite fatigued. Over the last few years my BP doses have dropped to Linsinopril 2.5mg (helps protect kidneys in presence of diabetes) and Bisoprolol 1.25mg (to reduce load on heart). Both are the minimum prescribed doses.

[seantemp58 in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks for reply. My blood pressure is fine and do not have any of symptoms of items you have described. As I said in original post am recovering well apart from fatigue. I have a follow up with cardiologist later in month so hopefully they will have some answers

[bowls12]

2 months after a triple by pass is a short time. Are you trying to do too much?You might know others who have had a similar op and are almost back to normal after 3 months, Listen to your body and don't over tire yourself.

Bisoporol stops the heart working too hard. I had a mitral valve repair 2 ½ years ago still take Bisoporol 1.25mg twice/day. When exercising I must not exceed a pulse rate of 104.

Just relax. enjoy the sunshine, which would have been impossible taking Amiodarone

[cjbroon]

I was on Amiodarone for a few months after open heart surgery in 2019, same as yourself 200mg a day. They had to gradually reduce my dosage as the Cardiologist told me you couldn't just stop taking it. Whilst they done that they introduced a small dose of bisoprolol- 1.25mg to counter any heart rhythm issues. I've been on that dose of bisoprolol ever since.

[Dippee1970]

Amiodarone is a very effective drug but keep your eye on your thyroid. I was on amio for Afib and had an ablation which put me back into sinus only for me to go back into Afib 10 months later because of amiodarone induced thyrotoxicosis . Unfortunately having a thyroid out of kilter is much worse than Afib so make sure they keep there eye on it. About 1 in 20 have a reaction to the amiodarone.

[seantemp58 in reply to Dippee1970]

Thanks for the reply. Had an appointment with my cardiologist on 7th of June who has stopped use of this medication. She said it was only a short treatment but to continue to monitor for side effects for 2/3 months.