Orthostatic hypotension and medication

[Ilsa]

My mother is 76 yrs.old with a pacemaker and history of Atrial Fibrillation. She was on Coumadin for the A-Fib, but had a spontaneous bleed in her brain from the coumadin. She takes an aspirin and was put on Amiodarone, to control the A-Fib. She recently fell at home and hit her head, the ER at her hospital said she had orthostatic hypotension. She had bent over, stood up and felt ill and lightheaded, and partially blacked out. They did a cat scan which was negetive..My question is..can the Amiodarone, which she takes at night cause her orthostatic hypotension? And..could that affect her anytime of the day, or just in the morning? Thank you, Ilsa

[CCF-M.D.-KE]

Orthostatic hypotension:

Typically amiodarone does not cause orthostatic hypotension.  Is your mother on any other medication which could affect her blood pressure? Her pacemaker should also be interrogated to evaluate her heart rhythm during this episode.  The half life of amiodarone is very long and its effect is typically not acute.
I would discuss this further with her regular doctor.

Thanks for your question,

CCF-MD-KE