Amiodarone side effects

[Afibflipper]

New to BHF Community - I’ve had paroxysmal AFib for approx 20years, 2 ablations, beta blockers & anti BP meds. Recently the AFib went out of control, tachycardia and BP unresponsive to meds. Awaiting Cardiac MRI result and been put on Amiodarone. Petrified of the fact it’s a last resort med & side effects listed are scary including, if I go in the sun my skin could turn blue/grey ( saw photos online) so very stressed right now. Is anyone on this and what on earth happens in the summer or on holiday? Thanks in advance.

[CDreamer]

Hi - my husband has been on Amiodarone for over 2 years, now down to a maintenance dose. Yes it is the most toxic drug so therefore usually used short term (up to 6 months) or as a last resort - but it is the most affective drug for converting and staying in NSR.

If prescribed prior to cardioversion or ablation it will usually only be used short term prior to and following the procedure, giving you best chance.

You should have regular blood draws to test for Thyroid and should have had those taken before Amiodarone loading. Watch out for dry cough and any of those symptoms should be reported immediately. Your skin will be photosensitive so you MUST stay our of sun and use heavy duty skin protection.

My husband’s skin is still skin coloured although he is paler than used to be simply from avoiding sunlight.

May I suggest you head over to the AFA forum dedicated to AF, many more people with experience of Amiodarone - not all good.

What I would say though is that although the risks are quite high, so are the rewards as it worked for my husband when everything else failed and has improved his quality of life as EF went from 36% to 55% within 6 months.

Best wishes and hope it works for you.

[Afibflipper in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you CDreamer for your help. I’ve only been on it a few days so no result from it yet. Thyroid being checked this week as they put me on it quickly. Glad it worked your side and that it stays that way & again you’ve been most helpful

[bikerider2022]

HI, I've been on it since Oct 21 due to a VT episode. I was told it was a short term solution to the problem due to the side effects. For me, I'll take the side effects over the causes to be honest. I'm a keen cyclist so am a little worried about the sunlight exposure but it's not going to stop me going out, I'll just need to adapt. Talk to your cardiologist about any problems, I'm sure they will help.

[Afibflipper in reply to bikerider2022]

Hi you’re obviously a very positive person which is good and inspiring. I’m just in shock at the moment I think as despite having the AF for many years they’ve always managed the control by just increasing the current medications.All of a sudden I wasn’t responding and the heartbeat was going up & up with the BP.

I picked up this prescription and the pharmacist printed off literature and I just thought, I am already asthmatic, sensitive skin that burns at times on factor 50 - thought that’s it holidays gone etc - I’ve got a month to wait to see the cardiologist (A&E put me on it via a GP call while sat with Dr) so hence came on here to get on the ground experiences rather than just a leaflet.

Everyone has been great so far - good luck yourself and thanks

[Mountwood]

More than 20 years ago I had 2 episodes if AF and had Amiodarone for about 6 months afterwards. I had absolutely no side effects from it whatever. I hope you will be as lucky as I was. Take care.

[Afibflipper in reply to Mountwood]

That’s good and glad you’re well now. Well this morning it all came to a head drug wise, little things since starting the Amiodarone on Friday I hadn’t recognised were connected - I have a lot of drug sensitivities. Over the weekend I’d had severe itching to the point I could have gone to the bone mainly during the night so put it down to being too hot. I also noticed headaches, but I get those, pin prick feelings on my skin. Sunday noticed a stinging burning throat and could could feel it in my chest but just thought it was strange ( it was hours since taking the medication and just never thought.). Last night I didn’t take the last dose as I was burning and stinging inside and out of the body, this also progressed to tongue and lips but no swelling as you’d expect allergy to but took antihistamine. That had been 5 hours lapse from tablet to symptom. This morning I got up felt absolutely fine, cold in fact so, took medication but within 45 minutes I felt the same tingle, prickle and burn sensation coming back to the skin, inside chest and tongue. The drug has been stopped and beta blockers increased from tomorrow until cardiology see me. Thank you everyone for your help/advice and stay well

[Mountwood in reply to Afibflipper]

I'm sorry to know you had such a horrible reaction, but it shows how different we all are. I had no problem with Amiodarone, but Amitriptyline caused AF. Good luck.

[Afibflipper in reply to Mountwood]

I do have other drug sensitivities such as brand changes with bisoprolol seemed an issue! Maybe just a slight additive despite the drug being same. An asthma inhaler was actually making things worse every time they increased the dose - as soon as I got off that one it settled. Thank you for your good wishes, I’m remaining optimistic though.