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Has anyone stopped amiodarone and replaced it with a different drug?

Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: Jul 14, 2022 | Replies (26)
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@danab

Hi KLH, I'm a former taker of Amiodroine I was taking for many years for Heart rhythm problems of Vintricular Tachycardia. So I took it for almost 10 years as a pill and it served me well. As my heart got worse I ended up in the hospital where due to the frequent heart arrhythmia I was put on an IV version at a very high dose. It wasn't recommended but it was the only thing keeping me alive as I waited for either a solution to my Heart rhythm problems or a Heart became available for transplant. Now I say this to hopefully put your mind at ease as they figure things out. Now as for lung issues I was a former smoker and did quit but ended up with lifelong copd and ephisymia. But overall I don't have any lung problems that I was ever told of with Amiodroine. Now on a very high dose I did develop a toxicity to the IV type and was taken off of it but then I did receive a heart transplant which solved my problem and didn't need the Amiodroine anymore.
So bottom line is I was told that yes Amiodroine does have some side affects and one that I got was my thyroid became damaged and had to be removed but as my Cardiologist said its one if the best drugs for arrhythmia which are much worse than the side affects of the drug. I took it for almost 10 years with no major side affects and the thyroid problem happen right at the end . So I would say you have a bit of time to see what the issue is before the Amiodroine at least becomes a problem. Always good to Question these things tho. Let me know if I can help further.
Blessings

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Replies to "Hi KLH, I'm a former taker of Amiodroine I was taking for many years for Heart..."
kilh | @kilh | Jul 11, 2022

Thanks for the quick reply. I also have COPD which they told me now but I was not aware of it. The last c-scran showed I have primary pulmonary hypertension along with the afib. Also, my TSH was high starting last November 2021 and climbing. This could be responsible for all my problems but no one caught it until rehab this Spring. I have only been home for about 2 months and maybe a month before that at extended care. Taking Amiodroine all this time. They changed Toprol to bedtime so when my BP drops, I am in bed.

So you have not had any side effects from Amiodroine? I am taking in am with breakfast that is when I get all these side effects and hardly can function. When I take it in the afternoon then no side effects are as bad but still are there. My PCP is so far out of the loop about who ordered the RX, when, and why. All Cardio says is to coordinate with your PCP even though, I see them regularly. I really would like to be able to function doing some household chores and maybe a little outside. No garden this year, so sad! If you have anything to add, please feel free to comment. You are the first to send a comment. Thanks so much and stay healthy. KLH

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