Rytary and A-Fib

[nelo23]

My new neurologist recently gave me a Rx for Rytary. Unfortunately, she didn't ask or look at my chart for a history of Atrial Fibrillation. I haven't had an occurrence of A-fib for the past 5 years. I started Rytary on Monday and by Wednesday I was in the hospital with A-Fib. The doctors including my Cardiologist believe the cause was Rytary. The literature does not mention this side effect. New drugs are not always safe.

[M_rosew]

You 'own' your medical history. When your doctor (especially a doctor new to you) suggests a different mediation, ask if that will be ok with your current medication / other conditions.

For doctor appointments it's a good idea to take your written history (short, dates only) and a list of all current medication including any supplements etc you have self-prescribed.

[nelo23 in reply to M_rosew]

I did that, I guess she didn't read it.

[M_rosew in reply to nelo23]

I didn't mean that you would hand your list in, but use it to help you to ask your questions (or answer them). I find it's easy to forget the facts and figures during an appointment.

[aspergerian]

Eg.

Long-Term Treatment with Extended-Release Carbidopa–Levodopa (IPX066) in Early and Advanced Parkinson’s Disease: A 9-Month Open-Label Extension Trial

CNS Drugs. 2015; 29(4): 341–350.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Forty-three patients (7.0 %) reported serious AEs. Those reported for more than one patient were femoral neck fracture (n = 3) and fall, atrial fibrillation, gastritis, hyponatremia, spinal column stenosis, and spinal osteoarthritis (n = 2 each).

[MBAnderson in reply to aspergerian]

53% of early PD patients had adverse events and 60% of advanced patients had adverse events.

[SailawayD]

Thank you for your reply. I’m sorry to hear about your experience with Rytary, I can only imagine how frustrating this must be for you. Has your doctor put you on a different medication? I’m curious as to how you are feeling now and what you are taking to aliviate your symptoms.

[nelo23 in reply to SailawayD]

The A-fib stopped a few hours after I stopped taking Rytary. I reverted back to my Dr Hinz protocal, Mucuna. I have not spoken to my neurologist, yet. She was out of town.

[Hikoi]

Nelo,

A good warning for us. Also we need to be mindful that if our condition has not been mentioned in the drug information sheet as a contra - indication then unless the neuro had experience of this as a side effect there are no alerts to warn them. Even then you will find some drugs are prescribed, depending on perceived risk, hopefully with care and monitoring.