I took amiodarone for 3 months after a-fib popped up for me after my minimally invasive mitral valve surgery. I started with the "high-loading" dose, but after a couple days my a-fib stopped so I went down to, I think 200mg twice a day. I continued on that until I finished my prescription, ~3 months. I've been pretty much a-fib free since then.
I was also concerned about the side effects, but as gloaming said, those occur after prolonged use so hopefully you don't have to stay on it too long.