Amiodarone/Cordarone

[Chatter†Ally]

Is anyone taking this med? If so, what is your experience with it? I am almost afraid to start it due to side effects and warnings. Any input would be appreciated. I have been having alot of tachycardias lately. This is to help ease that......................Thanks, Ally

[Poli3]

I can understand your reluctance to take this med.I was the  same way imagining all kind of horrors.
It is a med that should be monitored while on itI was on it for year  or so with no problem.

My sister has tachycardia,and has been on it for ten years.She gets breathing and blood tests once a year.She started at 400 mgs.a day.and now they have her down to 200mgs a day.
Unless they come up with another drug,she will always be on it .No other drug worked for her.
She said the ability to enjoy tachy free days has been a blessing.She calls it her wonder drug.
Have a good talk to your doctor about your concerns and fears,and discuss what and how often he does tests for lungs thyroid and other conditions.
While it does have some scary side effects,it is an effective medication that does give people back
their chance for a normal life when properly used and monitored.
This has been our experience,some folks may have different ones.
But there again,talk to your cardio.

God bless, Poli

[Chatter†Ally]

Thanks for responding. Yes, my doc wants me back in 2 weeks to check on me, and then again at a month to do some blood work. But he has seen me during an episode. I can't breathe. I get so faint and light headed. The pressure in my chest is so bad. He wanted me to be put in the hospital for more tests, but without insurance, not always easy to do. He is hoping I can get some relief this way. Said, he feels I am at that point now. Starting me out on 200mg. Filled it and have just kept reading the warnings. Thank you and I will keep you posted. I guess I should go ahead and start on it.

[Sweetwaterguy]

I took amiodarone for about six weeks following an ablation for a fib.  I did not tolerate it very well.  I developed hand tremors and had great difficulty with hand writing.  With the doctors permission--and an excellent recovery from my ablation, I quit it early.   Amiodarone has a long half life, and it took a couple of months before my hand tremors went away.  
It clearly is a powerful drug and works very well for those who can  avoid the side effects.

[Poli3]

Please let me know how you are doing after your doctor visit.
My sister had the same symptoms as you,actually passed out once in a store.
I will be away for a week so if you feel like keeping in touch,when I get back that is okay with me.


The problem mentioned by Sweetwater guy(cute name) often happens after an ablation,as I was told.
I hope he is better now.

Blessings Poli

[scouser costa rica]

[scouser costa rica]

I have inherited Paroxsymal A-Fib and have been taking 200mg for almost 10 years with no apparent side effects. It has kept my HR below 120 when I have a episode,which is about once a week and it lasts about 5-6 hours. I had a pacemaker installed to avoid the risk of Bradicardia. I work out and live a normal life,and I am now 71 and my stress test of last week came out with an excellent result.
                                                                                       Regards Ian

[maggiemag]

I am not sure what kind of tach you have or how high the rate goes.  Do you have underlying heart disease as well?   I think the drug is not indicated for just plain ordinary tachycardia, but I am not a doctor. I don't know what your heart pressure is from but this drug will not help angina, just an anti-arrhythmic.   I hope this is a cardiologist who is prescribing it!  Usually it is started while in the hospital on a monitor as it can cause serious arrhythmia, called a pro-arrhythmia effect.  Usually you are started on a loading dose of 400 mg. for a couple of weeks then the dose is lowered.  I guess since you are not on a monitor they are starting you more slowly.

I was on it for about two and a half years before I had problems, except for very severe reflux which was helped by Protonix.    Make sure you have pulmonary function testing at least once a year and thyroid levels at least twice a year.  I developed severe prolonged Q-T from it, so make sure they do an EKG about twice a year as well.  As stated above, the drug has a very long half life, so even though I was off it, I developed severe hyPERthyroidism from it about 3 months after stopping the drug.  It took about a solid year to get over it and my thyroid now tests normal. (Yay!)  Soooo, this drug can work wonders and can be safe if you are monitored correctly.  Hope this helps!

[suzy53]

Hi,
I am a 54 y/o woman and have paroxysmal a-fib. Started taking amiodarone in Jan/08, was started on 400 mg/day (not in hospital) and my internist did not warn me about the potential side effects before I started it. We recently tweaked the dose down to 100 mg/day and I had immediate return to a-fib and PVCs, ending up in emerg. last week. Went back up to 400 mg and felt worse!  So I have now gone down again to 100 mg and it seems to be working as I feel much better (hope it lasts). Side effects at 400 and 200 mg included wheezing, tightness in chest, cough, headache and pain behind left eye, blurred vision, slight tremors in hands, extreme fatigue (which I had before taking Amio anyway). Am concerned that my doctors have not done a chest x-ray or liver function test yet, but thyroid and other blood tests were fine. I've had previous lung problems so would really like to get off this drug - but it is the only one that worked!  Also taking supplements - Magnesium, Calcium, Vit. D and Multivitamin.

[Klutz]

How long did it take for you to feel the effects of amiodarone? I am on it for a week and so far I feel no difference.