Amiodiarone (update from last post)

[bundleblocker]

A few weeks ago I posted asking questions about a drug my Cardiologist wanted me to try for my Afibs. After reading several responses from this forum and also looking it up on the Internet I told the doctor I did not want to take the drug

It is Amiodiarone (I am probably spelling it wrong!)

The doctor did not argue with me; he said it was up to me, but he had only intended to prescribe it for a short while.

I still did not want to take it so right now I'm still on Metoprolol 25 mg and we are working on getting me used to the Coumadin.  Last week my blood got up to 2.1 so we are getting there with frequent dosage changes.

I am not thrilled about the Coumadin, but agree it is too risky to not take it with my frequent Afib episodes.

Thanks to Jerry and the others who responded to my last post.

[grendslori]

Congrats on turning the Amiodarone. My daughter was on it for 3-4 years and was lucky enough to get her new heart and get rid of the Amio. I laughed when I read your doctor was only planning on using if for a short time. After stopping this drug, it can still be found in the tissues for up to a YEAR after stopping the drug. Like it or not.....stop taking the drug and you are still taking it!

[claytex]

In my opinion you were right in refusing to take it.  It is supposed to be used only as a last resort.  They gave it to me for 30days.. and I was not in a last resort situation.  It caused my triglycerides to go over 600 and my HDL to go to 18 and before I took it I had normal numbers.   It is a horrible drug.  It is a half life type medication so the stuff stays in your system for a long time.  I took it 3 years ago and my triglycerides are still 300 amd my hdl is 25.. I would like to choke that doctor who talked me into taking it.. My endroconologist says Im probably stuck with the triglyceride and HDL #s for the rest of my life.

[BobRBob]

Without knowing more, it seems unusual to make the leap from rate control with Metoprolol directly to Amioderone which is generally viewed as the last resort for a-fib treatment because of its toxicity and side-effects. There are other drugs which may be effective in your case and a new drug called Multaq has recently been approved which is supposed to be as effective a Amioderone with fewer side-effects. I'd ask your cardio why you aren't trying some of these other alternatives first. From what you have said, I agree with your decision to decline the Amioderone at this point.

Keep us posted.

[Jerry_NJ]

You low dose Metoprolol suggests to me you have a low HR/BP without meds.  Or said another way, I think that 25 mg a day isn't likely to give much therapeutic results... just my guess.  The bad news with higher does (I take 200 mg a day) are the side effects.  I think it causes some of my unwanted dreaming (only when sleeping ;>) ).

I too resist the Class III drugs, I have not even tried Flecainide (Sp?).  I'm still hoping in my case the improvements in size reduction of my left atrium will make me again respond and hold NSR from electrocardioversions.  Have you ever tried a electrocardioversion?  We may have had the conversation in the past, sorry if I repeat.