I have used Multaq (not very effective, no side effects) and after several, days long breakthrough episodes, I was switched to Sotalol in February. Since February - no breakthrough episodes and no side effects. I believe the big side effect with Sotalol is another rythym issue - but they hospitalize you for a couple of days while they are first administering the medicine, to monitor your heart and ensure that you don’t have that side effect. I’ve been very pleased. I’m not a Doctor, but I believe the issue with persistent afib is that it can enlarge the heart - which can lead to heart failure.

Hi @damari, you'll see I moved your post to a discussion about Afib. I think you will be able to connect with multiple people here to get answers to your two questions, like @kancha, @margreet and @predictable

I am taking metoprolol and losartan, but haven't had any side effects. What other medications are you considering?

Hi @damari, glad to make your acquaintance. I probably won't be much help, though, because my A-fib is asymptomatic -- no conscious feelings of arrhythmia since my diagnosis 7 years ago. However, on one occasion 5 years ago, I suffered a "small stroke", apparently from a small blood clot that developed in my heart and injured my brain. A couple of days before that, my anticoagulant (Warfarin) peaked at 5.2 INR, and my medical team told me to skip the medication for two days. On that second day, while taking my daily one-mile walk, the stroke hit as I neared home. A few hours later, my wife drove me to the hospital emergency room for an exam and treatment. Big mistake! I'll always call 911 immediately if it happens again.

An anticoagulant like Warfarin (or your Eliquis) is essential to preventing a stroke from a blood clot. I have found, though, that clinics, urgent care, and emergency rooms don't always have an antidote on hand for the anticoagulant. After a friend died for lack of an antidote, I always ask a medical facility for a guarantee that the correct antidote is on hand the minute I enter. Half the time, it wasn't, but my medical team and I agreed to consult whenever that occurs, and I have had no problems personally so far.

I don't make unilateral decisions about medication. I give my medical team input on any side effects or other issues, but I treat their recommendations as my decisions and "do what I am told" by professionals who know what they're doing. Hope you get something worthwhile from my experience. Glad to respond to your questions any time. Martin

Do you know the name Of the medication to control the rhythm? If, by any chance, it is amiodarone please think twice! This medication has dire Side effects. One being scarring of the lung tissue. There are several others that you would not want either. I speak from experience. That medication works but it can also do a lot of harm.