Amiodarone

@macmurf I am also one of the 1% who cannot take amiodarone. I had breathing issues within 2 weeks and a PFT test at 3 weeks showed a 41% decrease in lung diffusion. There is no remedy for the damage amiodarone did to my lungs in that 3 week period. I am a very active 81 yr old and walk 1 1/2 miles on a hilly path. I rest frequently and hope the walking will help my lungs. I don't understand why amiodarone is still used.

@mart6321 - Your post has me concerned. I've been dealing with multiple lung infections and bronchiectasis. I'm on Amiodarone since the first week of July. I am scheduled for heart ablation on Sept. 9. I'm going to contact my pulmonary doctor via portal to see what he thinks about this medication.

@fdixon63 I was on it only 3 weeks when a pft test showed immediate concern due to great reduction in my lung diffusion. I immediately stopped tsking it. I've read all I could find on amiodarone effects. There are several tests that are probably being done on you to monitor possible side effects. Best of luck with your ablation.

@fdixon63
Amiodarone is a powerful but toxic drug for some. But it calms the heart to allow you time to get your heart ablation.

For me at Mayo Jacksonville I was told that hopefully my upcoming ablation will allow me to come of the amiodarone I have been on for several months.

I took it about 10 years ago and asked to come off after about 6 months. My EP did so but we did very slow and over many months.

Know the medication (per my EP) is powerful and has saved million of lives.

There are (per my EP) new drugs that are similar to amiodarone but per the research not as effective. Amiodarone has been around a long time. Just like any medication individuals will react different to it and some quite serious and some minor or nothing. So you have to tailor your ability to take it base on your side affects.

I know when I am on it they do eye exams every 6 months and blood test every six months to monitor any signs of toxicity.

If this med. is being considered for your regimen please read up on it closely. Acquaint yourself with follow-up monitoring and all prescribing directives. My life has changed dramatically since being put on this med. There are physical changes along with psychological changes that have left me with inability to organize my thoughts, practically destroyed my short term memory. After more than three years since abruptly stopping the med., due to development of distinctly suicidal thoughts, I am left muddle-headed, with a constant feeling very akin to the pall that settles on a person who has recently buried a close relation or friend. I don't believe more meds. will correct this situation but I haven't found others to discuss with which brought me here. Sometimes I just need to talk about what it has done to me without being reprimanded for broaching the subject. I wonder how different I would be if the prescribing directives had simply been followed. I don't expect magic any longer, I'm just trying to live a new and barren life. Enough of my whining but if you do know anyone on the med., review any effects they experience and closely read the data sheet that come with the med. There is a reason that it is labeled as, "a black box medication to be used only when all other options have been exhausted". It's being prescribed like jelly beans in the most irresponsible manner. I've yet to find anyone who has been so adversely affected, and survived. I wish I could offer optimistic review or progress but it's just not there.