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Atrial fibrillation medications side effects
Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: Oct 14, 2023 | Replies (28)Comment receiving replies
I've been on Amiodarone for over a year now since my second ablation. He said he would wean me off of it, which he did to 1/2 of pill every other day, but afib came back and he kept increasing the amiodarone till I'm taking 200 mg per day. He says it's the most effective drug. I've not been in afib since he's upped it by the long term side effects are terrifying. Anyone have experience on this drug?
Replies to "I've been on Amiodarone for over a year now since my second ablation. He said he..."
Several years ago had 5 shocks in 24 hours from my AICD/Pacemaker. Put in Mayo hospital and put on Amiodarone. Never could find why after 10 years of having AICD/Pacemaker and no shocks.
Amiodarone is a great medicine but can be toxic. I read a lot of information on it including having to monitor affect on eyes. I asked my electrophysiologist to wean me off if he could and he did.
My PVCs and Afib when down dramatically while on it but I did not want to risk the long term side affects of it if I could get off. We (my cardiologist, heart failure specialist, electrophysiologist and pace clinic) worked on programming pacemaker, adjusting medications, weight control, stress and I slowly was weaned off it.
I do take a new medication now (about a month now) to help reduce the number of PVCs. I have hundreds of thousands PVCs over a 3 month pacemaker check. Electrophysiologist wanted to wait on ablation (as PVCs coming from 3 different areas) and recommended start on Mexiletine (lowest dose) to help reduce PVCs. It did reduce them but not dramatically like Amiodarone.
Mexiletine is not like Amiodarone as it does not build up like it does nor have the serious side affects (this comes from cardiologist). It leaves body quite fast though and have to take every 8 hours. I was told within 1-2 days would be out of body completely unlike Amidoarone.
Amiodarone however is a great medication and if your doctors want you on it you should follow that. Your specialists know you medically and what is best for you. Their knowledge and expertise is far superior for what is best for you and what may work or best for another may not be for you.
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My young adult son took 200 mg a day for about 14 months. He didn't have any of the side effects. After his 2nd Ablation he was able to get completely off of it. Has a Loop Recorder to monitor.