weaning of Amiodarone or not

[Taichid]

I was prescribed amiodarone in May of last year resulting in a number of side effects.

My GP asked for advice and Cardiologist said to stop Amiodarone or wean off it. I am on 200 mgs a day.

I queried with Cardiologists secretary who said he had left the decision with GP. It would appear my GP doesn’t know what to do and asked me what did I want to do.

I think this is possibly buck-passing and has left me without proper response.

Would appreciate your comments,

[Happyrosie]

aren’t people helpful! Your doctor’s group of surgeries employs one or two pharmacists who might assist, failing that your dispensing pharmacist. In many ways your doctor is a generalist so has not got the background knowledge -:which pharmacists do have. If they are prepared to advise you!

I know mine would.

[SaxmanAD]

Hi,I currently am prescribed amiodarone & as it is a slow burning medication ( I presume you loaded to start with) , I have been on 3 courses & each time just stopped as advised as it takes a while to naturally clear from your system. I hope that helps.

[56dick19]

hi I was on Amiodarone for over a year it affected my skin I couldn’t go out in the sun. And it gave me an over active thyroid it was off the scale. I went for a routine blood test and the same day the GP rang me and told me to stop taking it and prescribed thyroid pills it took several months to get back to normal and several hospital visits. I didn’t get weaned off them

[Deerhoundlover]

Also being weaned off amiodarone by HF consultant. Dose reduced from 200mg to 100mg for 2 months and then stop.

[Smits1980]

I went on it due to Afib caused by a heart bypass. I was initially told no more than a few months on it as it is a toxic drug and then due to not being able to get to see a medic for months, and then seeing another cardiologist who said a a few years was fine, ended up being on it for over a year. The decision- a bit like yours- drifted. I found it awful in the sunshine and generally have felt better off it. In truth I am not convinced I ever should have been on it, and I’m certain I should not have been on it for as long as I was. You don’t say why you were prescribed it, but my from my experience, I’d be looking to come of it if I were you.

[capercaille]

I suffered side effects too (mainly dizziness) and just came off it (no weaning) on advice of cardiologist. I had been on it since November.

It has a long half life and stays in you body for a long time, but side effects should clear more quickly – I've been off it for 6 weeks now and feel better for it.

[ancient1914]

Hi, was on Amiodarone for over 20 years and my cardiologist stopped it with no weaning off about 2 years ago. It took out my thyroid and parathyroids about 2 years after I started so have been on thyroxine since. Also left spots on my eyes and affected my lungs. Terrible drug. I noticed no affect what so ever from the sudden stopping after all those years of taking it. Am now 77 and my 4th ICD device has 4 years of battery life left. I don't intend replacing it and just pegging out when the time comes.

Best of luck to all out there.