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Multaq side affects for AFIB

Posted by queenofjacks @queenofjacks, Nov 17, 2024

I am taking Eliquis & Multaq twice a day for AFIB & it is keeping my heart rate steady but I am having all kinds of side effects from the Multaq: weakness, dirreah, achy, lethargic , just to name a few. Is anyone else taking this drug for AFIB and having similar side effects? My next appointment isn’t until Dec. 6th to discuss what’s next…I hope ablation so I can get off these drugs. I will call the cardiologist office tomorrow to see if I can cut back once a day & wean off this nasty drug. Thx in advance to any discussion regarding this drug, much appreciated.

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vpmusic55 | @vpmusic55 | Nov 20, 2024
In reply to @68jwp "Thought I would share that as a 68-year-old female I had my first identified episode of..." + (show)
@68jwp

Thought I would share that as a 68-year-old female I had my first identified episode of a-fib on 10/12/22. After a night in ED and then the hospital, a Diltiazem drip got me back in NSR. Before release I spoke with the attending cardiologist for about 5 minutes and essentially had to decide between managing the a-fib with meds or seeing an EP to have an ablation. She felt I was a good candidate for an ablation, and I didn't really want to be on long term meds, so I chose the ablation option. Based on that, she sent me home on Diltiazem, Eliquis and a loading dose of Amiodarone which then went down to 200mg daily. My ablation was on 2/14/23, so not quite as soon as you have been scheduled, but the decision to have it was very quick. The procedure went well and 3 months later I was able to go off the Diltiazem and Amiodarone. I now take Eliquis and am fortunate to have remained in NSR going into my second year since the ablation. As many have posted on this site, the decision of how to manage a-fib is unique to each person. You need to do as much research as possible and trust your feelings and the physicians that you choose to help you decide. The vast amount of knowledge and the experiences of those who post here is also extremely helpful and can be very reassuring as you manage this condition. I wish you all the best as you go forward.

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Thank you so much for sharing your story. It was very encouraging. Praying for wisdom. Thanks again.

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fwayne53 | @fwayne53 | Nov 20, 2024

I have had two ablations and my AFib is much improved. I was on propaphenone and did not like it at all. A lot of dizziness. I'm on Elequis now for life. If I need a 3rd ablation I'll take that over the rhythm drugs.

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vpmusic55 | @vpmusic55 | Dec 19, 2024
In reply to @jennirdh "That sounds like a great plan!! I would think you’d be in the best hands there,..." + (show)
@jennirdh

That sounds like a great plan!! I would think you’d be in the best hands there, too, best of luck getting in quickly!

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Thank you. I did get an appointment at Mayos with Dr. David Bradley (EP) Feb. 12th. So am very grateful.
(Cancelled the ablation)

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dagda | @dagda | Apr 22 10:16pm

I am a 79-year-old male who discovered my Afib as the result of an Apple Watch notification that I was experiencing Afib and to see a doctor. At first, I thought it was a software glitch, but I received the same message the next day as well. I had absolutely no symptoms. I went to see my primary doctor, but he couldn't see me for a month. The office nurse told me to go to Urgent Care, which I did, and after an EKG, I was told that I was in Afib and if I needed an ambulance, to drive me to the Hospital Emergency room. I told them that I would drive myself. The Emergency room did another EKG, and lo and behold, I was in Afib. I was admitted and they started two IVs, a blood thinner, and an antiarrhythmic. I was discharged the next day and put on Eliquis and Multaq. I appear to be experiencing moderate fatigue and taking naps almost daily now, which I did not do before taking Multaq. I know that tiredness is a side effect of Multaq, but I don't want to feel this tired during the day. The EP said that I could try reducing the amount of Multaq to half twice a day for a week, and then half once a day for another week, to see if the fatigue dissipates. It has been nine months since my first Afib, and I hope that it is my last. I do not know how many folks here are on Multaq and responded to the drug with tiredness and fatigue.
Additionally, I have read that taking a statin and Multaq can increase the statin's blood levels as well. The only other heart issue that I had was double pneumonia at eighteen months old, which developed into rheumatic fever, which left some scarring on my valves, causing a murmur. That condition never kept me from participating in any physical activity.

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jennirdh | @jennirdh | Apr 23 9:32pm
In reply to @fwayne53 "I have had two ablations and my AFib is much improved. I was on propaphenone and..." + (show)
@fwayne53

I have had two ablations and my AFib is much improved. I was on propaphenone and did not like it at all. A lot of dizziness. I'm on Elequis now for life. If I need a 3rd ablation I'll take that over the rhythm drugs.

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The drug Eliquis is a blood thinner and won’t do anything to control your afib or rhythm is my understanding. Even after four ablations I am still on rhythm medication, the current one is called Flecainide, and take two baby aspirins and metoprolol daily.

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