Tikosyn

Hi Didi, here's some information about Tikosyn (dofetilide) http://mayocl.in/2b938Iq

Anyone from our A-fib gang have any experience with this drug?
cc @martishka @predictable @patinhou @grandmajan @jhoffmanj @donnelson @texas7777

<br>Sorry, I am of no use here- never took the drug... <br>

I started a post question on the heart rhythm section and for some reason it kicked me to this site.
I have persistent AFib, two cardioversions did not stop this but for 3-4 months each.
Docs want me to go on Tikosyn (which requires 4 days in hospital to titrate dose) and then 3 months later get a Watchman procedure, which is supposed to allow you to wean off blood thinners after that. I'm having bleeding problems with Eliquis. (Fell and hit my head, had subdural hematoma, also I am a fall risk because of foot problem). I just found out that you do have to continue to take the Tikosyn indefinitely, which I don't like. I am so confused. I have a list of drugs a mile long I CANNOT take because of side effects, and fear starting another unknown.
A friend is having an ablation, which is supposed to stop the heart Rhythm problem, then later get a Watchman. That's another approach I hadn't head of. I rarely have noticeable symptoms of AFib but do measure in AFib all the time, with frequent EKG and daily test with Kardiomobile device. HELP! Any advice would be appreciated.

Yes - been taking since April - 500mcg and 375mcg were problematic - but 250mcg is going well - it's a great drug at the right dose [in my experience.]

I’ve been on Tikosyn for more than 10 years. During those 10 years I had no afib episodes other than two of them after I had the Covid shots. And I blame that on the Covid shots. I have not had any afib for two years since the episodes during the Covid shots. It seems to be working great for me. The only problem is that I have to have an EKG and a blood draw every three months but that is not been a big issue.

Yes, I have been on Tikosyn since September 2023 after six months in persistent Afib with rvr. Two different rate control drugs were tried which caused a great deal of fatigue and lowered my blood pressure but didn't contol the heart rate. So the next step when I finally saw an EP was an antiarrhythmic drug. I am very pleased with Tikosyn. Had one breakthrough this summer which did last a week and one that lasted 3 hours but both converted without help. After the first six months, I am very thankful for this drug. No side effects.

I loaded 500mcg BID in April, but side effects were intollerable; females have 3x higher risk of TdP and my QTc was over 500. So dose reduction was key [for me.] Since Sept, I've been on 250mcg BID - still early in the game - but going well!

M65, good physical condition and avid workout warrior! Had persistent Afib and flutter and RVR for three months. Cardioverted once and it failed 72 hours later. Scheduled for ablation but they stopped procedure when they thought a clot might be present (determined subsequently to not be the case). Remained in hospital to be put on Tikosyn. EP strongly recommended getting off of Tikosyn and getting ablation ASAP. So I was on Tikosyn for three months and got an ablation a month ago. No longer on Tikosyn and no further Afib episodes (fingers crossed).

Great! At one point, my cardio shifted me from 250mcg to 500 and within a few days I developed a severe rash on my hands. Determined this was a side effect of and overdose. Went back to 250 and have been fine since.

I had an ablation 10 years (at age 61) ago which was the best decision I ever made. I could not tolerate Fleccinide (made me feel terrible) plus it did not stop my A-Fib. I never went on a blood thinner but now have A-Fib about once a year and more recently SVT. Both my parents died of complication from strokes so I will likely start a blood thinner soon.