Amiodarone

Good afternoon,

I've been on Amiodarone for a little over 4 months...800mg to 400mg and now 200mg a day for the past 6 weeks.

I'm curious for those on this medication...how long have you been on it...and any side effects?

Has anyone had to stop taking it??? Is there an alternative if one has to come off of it.

My question I suspect only applies to those with ICDs???

Thanks alot!

Ron

5 Comments

Amiodarone

by sunny@heart - 2013-07-23 11:07:05

Ron, I was on amiodarone about 10 years ago, for PSVT...
very short time... didn't know then what I know now or why I was even on it... in those days I just did what the docs said.
In 2011 I had a valve repaired & a maze procedure done to stop the A-fib... ended up a month later on amiodarone given in hospital... the docs said only option...
within 3 weeks I had severe stomach cramps, bloating, nausea when I ate , and diarrhea.... I was losing 7 pounds a week for 2 weeks running.
the nurse said that wasn't a side effect of the drug... 2 days later I had lost almost 20 pounds & I called & said I am DUN! It is killing me.
The next week i began having breathing problems and learned I had Pulmonary Hypertension & was referred to Pulmonologist...
Los of folks do OK on this, but this was my experience....

Regular tests

by golden_snitch - 2013-07-24 04:07:51

Hi Ron!

I was on Amiodarone for 11 months only, then it started to damage my lungs. However, I also know several people who have been on it for more than 10 years and never had any problems. It's a well known, very effective antiarrhythmic drug - it worked great for me, better than any other antiarrhythmic drug -, so I guess as long as you get all the check-ups done regularly, you're on the safe side.

Don't know about the U.S., but in Germany when you're on Amiodarone you're advised to have your eyes, thyroid, and lungs checked every 6-12 months. And I think liver, kidneys etc. via blood work also every 6-12 months. This is really important. It was during a routine lung function test that they found out that Amiodarone was damaging my lungs, I had no symptoms. The most important parameter is the so-called "diffusion capacity". Shortly after I started Amiodarone, my capacity was at 86%, and then 10 months later it was at 47%! We repeated the test several times on several days, because this was quite a significant drop in a rather short time, but the tests were accurate. Had to stop the Amiodarone immediatly. Doctor said that we probably caught it shortly before I had developed symptoms. He also said and that with this lung damage, as soon as you have symptoms, the damage often is irreversible. My lung function is now back to normal.

So, make sure you get all those tests done regularly.

Best wishes
Inga

Hi Ron

by Laben - 2013-07-24 09:07:01

I have been taking Amidarone (200mg daily) for 20 yrs come November. So far no side effects. They check me fairly regularly for lung, liver and thyroid problems. It was the only drug back then that would almost completely control my V-tachs..........Laben

amiodarone

by clarencio - 2013-07-26 04:07:52

I was doing therapy after my SDA. I had a big old AFIB
and all the nurses panicked and got a cardio Doc to see me right away. All the machines said --LOOK OUT.
They put me on Amiodarone, and since I never felt the first set of AFIBS I never felt anymore of them after I started the medicine, so I thought that Amiodarone was a miracle medicine. Then I got my PM, for other reasons. That beautiful little computer registered over 3000 Afibs during a 3 month period. Therefore lies a Question, Since I never felt any of my AFIBS did I need the Amiodarone??

I am off of it now and my latest PM report showed 1 AFIB during the last 3 month period.

Thanks to All

by Ronniecolorado - 2013-07-26 11:07:49

Thanks to everyone for sharing experiences...I can't tell you how much it really helps hearing from all of you.

Ron

You know you're wired when...

Muggers want your ICD, not your wallet.

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