Amiodarone

I am in 4th week following single bypass (LAD) surgery. The hospital consultant prescribed amiodarone because of arrhythmia/ AF. There is a warning on the box to protect your skin from sunlight because it can cause severe sunburn affect and blistering. also I read that the drug can cause severe side effects. Keep out of the sun and use factor 50 along with covering skin and wearing a hat if outdoors. Apart from the severe side effects, I am concerned about sun cos I am going on a cruise in September. Has anyone had experience of this drug or know if there is an alternative. I have tried to speak to GP surgery but am struggling to get an appointment.

[jeanjeannie50]

Flecainide may be a better alternative, but your consultant would have to prescribe it as GP can't. There's no way I'd ever recommend Amiodarone, it damaged my thyroid and I'll now have to take pills for life to rectify that.

Jean

[Hidden in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you. I must admit I'm worried.

[Chappychap]

Many of us experience a spell of AF or arrhythmia following open heart surgery. There's a decent prospect that it will be temporary, but that means following the doctor's orders to the letter, including medication.

I too enjoy cruising holidays and laying out in the sun, but there's no cruise or suntan that's remotely as important as fixing AF!

Everyone recognises that AF medication can be unpleasant but it's a question of balancing risk and rewards. The heightened risk of stroke or sudden death that comes with AF means more powerful medication is warranted. For the great majority of people Amiodarone does more good than harm. It fixed me for example without any liver or thyroid damage, and I've now been completely arrhythmia free for five years.

[Hidden]

I appreciate your comments and totally agree, but if there is an alternative that has less adverse affects, I would want to know. Which is one of the reasons I posted my comments. I have had infusions for arrhythmia so I know in my case it's quite severe, but I still need to research alternatives because of my anxiety.

[56dick19]

hi Iv been on it for nearly 2 years the first summer was the worst the sun was burning though my clothes. It seemed a bit better last summer. I love sitting in the sun and going to the beach. Not been able to do ether since.

I not been abroad and not going again this year. It has also effected my eyes and have to take drops every day.

Hope you can find a alternative

Richard

[Hidden in reply to 56dick19]

Thank you

[mwhf]

I have been on amiodarone for 18 months. My AF and flutter seems to have sorted itself out after ablation 4 weeks ago.I live in Thailand and regularly cycle in 30-35deg.C heat. Mainly with 50++ sunscreen but occasionally without and often with the protection removed due to sweat. I have never experienced any problems with amiodarone of any sort. I have not had to change my lifestyle in any way as a result of being prescribed amiodarone.

[Hidden in reply to mwhf]

Thank you

[Mountwood]

I had it 20 years ago with no side effects at all but a friend was recently not so lucky. She now has pulmonary fibrosis. I believe patients should be advised about possible side effects fully not just told they could be savage. Then you could make an informed decision.

[Hidden in reply to Mountwood]

Thank you

[Nannysue1]

I was on amioderone for 6 hrs. Yes I dud have to take great care in the sun as it made me very sensitive and easy to burn. I smothered myself in factor 50 and wore a hat and didnt sit in the sun. That was a pain but it controlled my AF which was more important. Flecanide never worked for me. I was monitored closely whilst on it. 3 monthly blood tests and biannual chest xrays.

[Hidden in reply to Nannysue1]

Thank you

[Dolphin14]

They make UV protectant clothing have you looked into any? Sunscreen applied frequently, a hat, if you are lounging do not face the sun directly , choose seating with umbrellas.... these are a few things that will keep you sun safe.

I hope you can enjoy your trip while taking the medication that the Dr sees fit for you.

🐬

[Hidden in reply to Dolphin14]

Thank you

[hondated]

Yes I too suffered from sun burn when I was taking it but what was worse than that was it affected my thyroid. Thankfully because a friend had told me that her GP that she could only take it for a short while she was taken off of it. I contacted my GP when I learnt this & he replaced this pill with Ramipril. Just as well that he he did as my cardiologist later told me I had indications of an over active thyroid which can be cause by taking amiodarone. I also discovered that Mt neighbour who also has a hear problem was taken off of it because of having an over active thyroid. It's your chose but I would get taken off of it if I were you given all of this.

[Hidden in reply to hondated]

Thank you

[Stanza]

My husband had a triple bypass Dec 2021 was on this tablet for 6weeks to stabilise the AF

[Hidden in reply to Stanza]

Thank you

[Doodlegurl]

I’ve been on it for nearly a year now. I’ve now got an under-active thyroid which needs medication, my optician has mentioned there are starting to be deposits in my eyes which need monitoring.

Last year I used factor 50 sun cream and didn’t have a problem.

My Consultant calls it a dirty drug and states it shouldn’t be for long term use but at the moment it’s the thing that’s keeping me alive so it’s about weighing up the options. He said there are other medications that do similar things but not as good as this.

They are looking to do an ablation for my VT arrhythmias which would mean coming off it but at the moment I’m thankful for it despite the side effects.

[heart_surgery]

I was on Amiodorone after An aorta implant. I htink it is oftenprescribed post surgery an sis often only temporary. I woudl find out what the recomendation is with your prescription.. I hated it. It kept me awake at night for weeks.

[Sanpedro2019]

There is no alternative read the leaflet with the tablets and follow them you need 50 50 sun cream cover musk as you can sun glasses a smart cap I have to be on it all my life good luck can you let me know please San pedro

[Hidden in reply to Sanpedro2019]

Thank you

[Hidden in reply to Sanpedro2019]

I'm at cardiac rehab on Monday so will have a discussion. I'll let you know the result.

[Alixia]

Amioderone is an excellent heart drug, but can cause many side effects to other parts of your body such as lungs, eyes, thyroid, skin and liver. It also stays in your body for a very long time after you stop taking it.

Speak to your doctor about your concerned and if there are alternative medications you can take that don’t have these side effects. If you are on Facebook, look up the group Stop Amioderone.

[hondated in reply to Alixia]

This is interesting. I am going to look now.

[hondated in reply to Alixia]

Thank you I have just joined this group and I am amazed at some of those in the groups experiences .Some sadly written about by those that have lost their loved ones. How on earth is this drug still being prescribed given its consequences for so many.

[NLGA]

I was on it from July to the end of December I was getting strange pains all over my chest only little ones like someonedigging there finger into me from naval to my upper arms

I still have AF and my health was no better so the cardio doctor told me to stop taking it everything is still the same without the pains

[Hidden in reply to NLGA]

Thanks for info

[Shar28]

Hello. Firstly, everyone’s different so whether you have any side effects or the degree to which you have side effects remains to be seen. Hopefully, you’ll be ok.

Did your consultant say how long they expect you to be on it for? My husband was on it for a few weeks after his AVR for post-operative AF in January 2018 and didn’t seem to have problems with sunburn etc during the spring/summer afterwards, but he did take extra care. He actually had a DC Cardioversion whilst still in hospital that fixed the AF as the Amiodarone by itself, didn’t do the trick.

Best wishes to you and your loved ones.

[Hidden in reply to Shar28]

Thank you for your reply and your kind comments. I had severe arrhythmias before I had the op and then twice whilst still in hospital after the bypass. Both times they treated it with an infusion, so I was hooked up to a drip till it subsided. After the 2nd episode they put me on amiodarone to take at home. I haven't had my follow up appt yet, but I am going to insist that they take me off it or give me an alternative. It can mess up your thyroid as well as blistering your skin. It is known as a dirty drug. My pharmacist says that I will have my bloods thoroughly monitored while I am on it, but it might be too little too late. Thanks again for your comments. Take care. X