Propafenone User Reviews & Ratings

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 26, 2012

Rythmol SR (propafenone) for Atrial Fibrillation "Had a miserable life for 15 yrs of waiting for my heart to go out of rhythm and in to the emergency room. Rythmal has changed my life, I experience a flutter here and there but no total outs, my anxiety has decreased as well."

• gjb
• April 21, 2012

For Atrial Fibrillation "I am a 67 year old female who was diagnosed with A-Fib and put on Rythmol in 1996. (Yes, I've been on it for 16 years). The doctor was about to do an ablation but decided to try Rythmol first. It put me back in rhythm and I did not have to have the ablation. I have since learned my triggers and try to avoid them. I've had 2 episodes worth mentioning in all this time. Once I became very overheated and once I had a shot of cortisone in both knees. I take 225 mg of propafenone every 8 hours (6, 2, and 10). It is a nuisance sometimes, but well worth the payoff. I sometimes even forget that I am a "heart patient"."

• itherni
• June 18, 2011

Rythmol SR (propafenone) for Atrial Fibrillation "I'm a 58 year old male. I have taken Rhythmol for a year. I started having many different heart rhythms after having an implant for ASD. Every night I would sleep sitting up, could not work effectively, and was worried if this would eventually kill me. In a year I have had not one skip or erratic heart beat. This medicine is amazing and I feel wonderful. It does give you a metallic taste but it's a small price to pay."

• bike...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 25, 2020

For Atrial Fibrillation "I have been a semi-competitive road cyclist for a long time. I noticed that after a very hard climb my heart would not beat evenly. This was 20 years ago (now late 50's). No doctor diagnosed what was happening and it was quite rare. I returned to normal sinus after a short time. By age 50 I started having a fib more often. I could feel it and went to the hospital now and then. It took a while, but I finally figured out that my a fib was a direct reaction to coffee, gluten, wine, and other foods. I stopped eating pretty much my favorites and it went away. However, I was unhappy eating a very limited diet. I now take 150mg dose of propafenone twice a day and I can eat gluten, chocolate, bread, (no coffee). In the 2 years that I have been on it, the only time I went into a fib was when I forgot to take a dose and ate chocolate. This drug has been so helpful. I can work out without limitations, and I just have to not overdo the wrong foods...be sensible."

• Grw
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 28, 2013

Rythmol (propafenone) for Atrial Fibrillation "Have had atrial fibrillation for 25 years. Tried a number a medicines and was on amiodarone for a few years but had to stop. Decided to give Rythmol a try, and have used it for more than 15 years. Have not had a noticeable attack of atrial fibrillation for many years, although I did land in emergency for another arrhythmia last year. This has been a life saver for me. Supply is getting to be an issue though."

• Paul...
• August 13, 2011

Rythmol (propafenone) for Atrial Fibrillation "I've been on Rythmol for Atrial Fibrillation for about 6 months. Initially, it wasn't working too well. I'd be in rhythm for a few days and go out for a day or more. After a few months of this I asked my Cardiologist if he could suggest another anti-arrhythmia drug but he suggested we give Rythmol more time. He increased my dosage gradually until I was taking the maximum dose, two 150mg tablets 3 times a day. I have been in rhythm for over two months now and I never had any side effects so I am very satisfied at this point."

• tmn
• August 6, 2009

Rythmol SR (propafenone) for Atrial Fibrillation "I am a 64 year old male and have been using Rythmol since January 05. I started with the standard Rythmol 150mg 3 times a day. This was inconvenient so my doctor put me on Rythmol SR 225mg twice a day and I have been on this regimen for three years with absolutely no side effects and no recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation. My concern is long term effect. I am at 4 1/2 years on Rythmol and see one person on this site with 13 years. I would like ot know if there are any other long term users and what their results are. Do I need to try ablation?"

• alanv...
• April 29, 2009

Rythmol SR (propafenone) for Atrial Fibrillation "I have used Rythmol or Propafenone for over 13 years for atrial fibrillation with good results. I'm taking 225mg twice a day. I drink lots of coffee with no problems. Alcoholic beverages will trigger my atrial fibrillation 95% of the time so I know longer drink. Wine seems to be the worst culprit. I have thought about an ablation but since the Rythmol works so well, I'm hesitant to have the procedure."

• Anonymous
• February 6, 2014

For Atrial Fibrillation "Been on propafenone SR for 1 year. Prior, I had 3 Atrial fibrillation episodes, 2 needing cardioversion. One chemically converted 10 minutes prior while they were hooking me up. After that, they prescribed 225 SR 2x a day. No atrial fibrillation since. Also, I would get as many as 5 or 10 PVC's a minute, sometimes every 2nd or 3rd beat. With this medicine this is down to 10-20 per day, mostly not even noticeable. Although the atrial fibrillation is the main reason for the medicine, I actually find the lack of PVC's to be the most beneficial - reducing anxiety. Before the medicine, I was totally preoccupied with my heart rhythm. After the medicine, I feel 10 years younger."

• CJano
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 17, 2018

For Atrial Fibrillation "46 yr- old male; developed occasional AF in early 40s. By last year it was bad enough that I couldn't ignore it. Flecanide plus metoprolol was terrible (pounding beats and felt sick all the time), but propafenone has been great. I'm on max dose (425 twice a day). I've had 4 episodes in last 6 months, compared to daily episodes before. BUT, I am interested in people's experiences of side effects. I have some of the usual ones (fatigue, metallic taste in mouth, dizziness). But the one that really bugs me is shortness of breath. Hard to concentrate when that happens. Side effects seem to come and go, and I can't figure out any cause: have tried cutting out caffeine, alcohol, compression socks (wondering if it was low BP). All seemed to work for while, though that might have just been my imagination, then stopped working. Anyone have any thoughts?"

• Charl...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 29, 2014

For Atrial Fibrillation "I have been on this for almost 6 years due to atrial fibrillation and am a 49 year old male. I honestly can't tell if I have had any episodes of atrial fibrillation since being placed on this medicine but do remember feelings of anxiety in bed a handful of times. I take two doses per day and am also on Metoprolol that I take in the morning. One thing that struck me when I was first placed on this med back then was the doctor saying that one day it won't work anymore. So far to good but I am also concerned about the long term use but I guess it's the best option right now."

• Dr or...
• June 24, 2008

Rythmol SR (propafenone) for Atrial Fibrillation "Diagnosed with Atrial fibrillation a little over two years ago. Started Ryhthmol after taking thinners in preparation for Cardioreversion. Heart went back to normal rhythm just before I was to be shocked. Had infrequent short periods of Atrial fibrillation reoccuring. Doctor prescribed another anti-arrhythmics but I felt as though tennis ball was bouncing inside my chest. Went back to Rythmol 325 Sr and atenolol, both twice a day. I have stayed in rhythm for about a year, I have found that coffe and some Iced teas cause me to go out."

• lioness
• September 24, 2020

Rythmol (propafenone) for Atrial Fibrillation "I have taken Rythmol for about 6 months now in combination with Xarelto. I absolutely HATE taken any meds at all! I was having to go to the ER and hospitalized several times before I started on it for afib and high BP. That is fairly controlled now which I am thankful for. The biggest side effects I see are drying of skin especially feet, arms, hands, extreme constipation like my gut feels paralyzed no matter what I eat and sometimes drop in BP especially after meals and first thing in the morning. I want to get OFF the meds but am afraid to, don't know how, and cannot get doctor's approval for that so far."

• walkm...
• March 25, 2010

Rythmol SR (propafenone) for Atrial Fibrillation "Atrial fibrillation onset 1997... have had 6 cardioversions since drugs would not convert to sinus rhythm. Started 325mg Rythmol SR 2x a day after last cardioversion (March 2007). Stopped drinking alcohol, and haven't had an episode since."

• renol...
• December 20, 2014

For Atrial Fibrillation "Started having a few a-fib attacks a couple of years ago. I'm 77 and still very active. My cardiologist put me on Multaq 2 x/day and this seemed to work until a few months ago when I had several more attacks. Now am on propafenone 2 x/day and have had only one episode recently. My triggers are dehydration, stress (my husband has dementia) and caffeine. When I feel an attack coming on, I take four 5mg Valium tablets, 500 mg of magnesium and 2 adult aspirin. My Dr. has approved of this regime as I then go to sleep and when I wake up 4-5 hours later, I feel like a million bucks. So far so good. I do have a metallic taste in my mouth but I suck on Tic-Tacs and that helps. Oh, and deep breathing and relaxing tense muscles also helps. "

• Bluef...
• May 29, 2008

Rythmol SR (propafenone) for Atrial Fibrillation "After 9 months on Sotolol, I was still having Atrial Fibrillation (AF). Switched to Rhythmol 225mg for 3 months and had occasional AF, but at 325 mg, I've only had one AF episode in 6 months. It's a blessing to lie down and go to sleep without the fear of AF starting up."

• Penel...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 22, 2021

For Atrial Fibrillation "I have been on propafenone for approximately 10 years for A-Fib. I have paroxysmal A-Fib (it would occur every 4-6 weeks and last for several hours) diagnosed 11 years ago. Initially I took four 150mg tablets/day. I felt awful, especially in the morning....nausea, brain fog, fatigue. The dose was then cut in half and since then I have very few, in any side effects and no A-Fib!"

• Buddy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2015

For Atrial Fibrillation "Had an irregular heartbeat a month ago. Not a rapid heartbeat but several normal beats follwed every 30 seconds or so with several faster heartbeats. This would repeat again. Dr. diagnosed me with A-fib. Placed me on Propafenone 150 Mg 3x a day. Have not had another episode but the medicine makes me very sleepy in the afternoon. Hopefully my body will adapt and this will go away. Has anyone else had the same side effect? Would appreciate a reply."

• medst...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 16, 2014

For Atrial Fibrillation "I'm a 29 yo male who has had Supra Ventricular Tachycardia since I was 22. I've been on metoprolol ever since I was diagnosed. Over the past year I started having episodes of Atrial fibrillation, right when I started medical school. I was hesitant about an ablation, so my doc tried 150mg Propafenone every 8hr and it's been helping! I still take the metoprolol, but at a lower dose (to prevent 1:1 conduction), and it works great. I still get anxiety occasionally at night when I lay down and feel my heartbeat, but that's only because I was used to it happening every night. I'll probably still get the ablation, but I'm in no rush!"

• Rainp...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 5, 2015

For Atrial Fibrillation "I have three stents and a pacemaker. Heart guys say that I experienced a heart attack! My feeling is that I have had much worse hang-overs! There is a definite arrhythmia displayed on my printouts. I absolutely refuse to take rat poison as a medication as I believe that it contributed greatly to my parents death. I have been using Propafenone 225mg for almost three years at the rate of 1 pill in the AM and one in the evening. My heart rate and rhythm are next to perfect as displayed by the pacemaker printout. I do not experience afternoon sleepiness unless I have eaten earlier! I am 74 years old and retired military. Carry-on!"

• Frank
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 25, 2018

For Atrial Fibrillation "I am a 58 year old male who began to experience Afib about 12 years ago. It was on and off at first, but ended up kicking in full time. I had an ablation in 2007 that initially stopped the Afib, but over time I began to experience bouts every month or so that usually lasted a day or two. My doctor put me on Propafenone (325 mg twice a day) about 5 years ago and the results have been excellent. In the 5 years I have probably had less than 5 episodes of Afib that last less than a few hours. These episodes are almost predicable as they occur when I am extremely tired and have had a few drinks to go along with it. I have never had any side effects from taking this medication."

• Anonymous
• December 5, 2010

Rythmol SR (propafenone) for Atrial Fibrillation "I have been on Rythmol 425 for 9 months. It seems to have controlled my atrial fibrillation as I know of only a couple occurrences since I started the Rythmol. Side effects have diminished but still have bouts of fatigue and constipation. This medicine seems to be okay but I hate taking something continuously at 51 years old."

• MarkBV
• May 4, 2009

Rythmol SR (propafenone) for Atrial Fibrillation "I have been on Rythmol SR for about 6 weeks now. I was originally diagnosed with Atrial Flutter, but after the ablation procedure for this, it was then determined that I had Atrial Fibrillation and was put on Rythmol SR. This drug does not "solve" or "cure" the problem - all it does is subside it temporarily. As a result, I am scheduled for an Atrial fibrillation Ablation procedure this month. I have also had numerous side effects (dizziness, and bad taste in mouth). "

• Lily
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 15, 2019

For Atrial Fibrillation "Medication works great for AFib. Calms my heart beat down throughout the day. But after 3 months on this med its causing me shortness of breath while I sleep with my oxygen on and also shortness of breath at times walking around. I do have a metallic taste in my mouth. I am very tired and weak at times. I did not have this prior to the new med other than a busy working heart."

• Bevyd
• November 4, 2015

For Atrial Fibrillation "I was diagnosed with AFIB about 8 months ago and put on Rythmol. Im a 51 yr old f. It has been such a blessing to my life to live normally again. I get a extra beat every now and again when my afib is trying to set my heart off. But i will take that any day .They found some blockages in my heart and put in 5 stents. I am grateful for this drug even if my water will never taste the same ..."