Atrial fibrillation medications side effects

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?

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.

I began taking Eliquis 4 months ago and developed a UTI which my cardiologist said was not related. My urologist has prescribed Ciprofloxacin 2-500mg tablets per day which I have now started. Instructions, which I now read, state do not take if on blood thinners. I am on day 2 of 7. Should I continue.

I cannot take any heart rhythm meds except Flecainide due to side effects. Trying to keep Afib away or elevated heart rate normal, Flecainide was increased. But I felt horrible, tired and no energy and out-of-sorts. I don’t suggest this but on my own I reduced it from 1 pill 3 times a day to 1 pill 2 times a day….and I began to feel better. After several weeks, I took it down to once a day and feel fabulous. About every 2 weeks, I take an extra one in the evening. I am not a big woman (5’3” 107 pounds) and I think I was taking too much medicine. I am feeling normal now. But please discuss this with your doctor. Good luck.

I did not have a good experience with dilthazem and I suspect it has had something to to with other conditions I am currently experiencing. Apparently I was on a high dose according to a second opinion cardiologist. I was in the process of getting off of it when I started the other conditions I just mentioned. Problem is there aren’t a lot of meds in the tool box for cardiologists. Recommend reading the book The Afib Cure written by a cardiologist who experienced afib himself.

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.

The only interactions I know of with Cipro and blood thinners is when you take Cipro and Warfarin. In that case, I think the Cipro increases the effects of Warfarin. But, I am not in the medical field. I have been on Eliquis for 8 years now and have taken Cipro with no side effects and no red flags from the pharmacist who monitors all drug interactions.

Thanks for your reply. Also my cardiologist says it is ok to continue with Eliquis but I should hold off with Amlodipene until I have completed Ciprofloxacin. In case any followers are interested my cardiologist says that Warfarin should also be restricted since it is a different type of thinner.