Amiodarone User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• fru...
• December 24, 2011

For Ventricular Fibrillation "I had a pacemaker installed, was started on Amiodarone immediately after, and left the hospital 4 days later. Three days later, I was returned to the hospital with serious pulmonary problems. Everyone thought I had pneumonia, but it was side effects from the Amiodarone, and the pulmonary doctor replaced it immediately with another medicine."

• baj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2015

For Arrhythmia "Was on amiodarone for two months, prescribed to me by a doctor in Baja, Mexico. I experienced loss of weight and anxiety. I am now back in the US and discovered it had caused my thyroid levels to skyrocket, along with loss of weight and a general poor quality of life. Now my thyroid has to be retested in four weeks, and I was recommended to see a neurologist due to possible Parkinson's. They should ban the drug."

• taz...
• April 28, 2009

For Arrhythmia "Good after cardioversion. I was prescribed it and my heart went into atrial fibrillation. Side effects I suffered were stomach pains (like carrying a 10-pin bowling ball in your stomach). Couldn't keep anything down, from light snacks to drinks. Severe fatigue, tiredness, diarrhea, dizzy spells. After my cardioversion for the 3rd time, I feel 100% better, and I am still on amiodarone and all the above symptoms have subsided. The only side effect I have now is: short-term memory loss, lack of appetite, get sunburnt very easily."

• Ced...
• May 23, 2019

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "I use amiodarone as current medical treatment for WPW Syndrome. It is very convenient as a medication as I have to take only 1 or 2 amiodarone pills per day as compared to other meds like beta blockers or flecainide which need a round-the-clock dose. However, the downside is all the side effects that this medication has. From elevated liver enzymes for someone who does not consume alcoholic drinks to photophobia (light sensitivity), this med may not be for everyone. I wear tinted prescription lenses of 85% density day and night as I became sensitive to light after 2 months of the treatment. But, I accept living like a visually impaired person rather than constantly having tachycardia episodes that last for hours and having WPW attacks at night even when I sleep. Take it at your own risk bearing in mind that sometimes the therapeutic benefit it gives outweighs the side effects."

• Kim...
• April 16, 2017

For Ventricular Fibrillation "My 73-year-old mother was prescribed this drug after bypass surgery. She went through the surgery fine and came home, but she eventually succumbed to the side effects of this drug. Her kidneys, liver, and lungs shut down. She was unable to overcome the side effects of the drug. I should note that she never smoked or drank alcohol."

• don...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 11, 2013

For Ventricular Tachycardia "Six months after quintuple bypass surgery and several heart events, I was put on Multaq and shortly thereafter had a defibrillator device implanted. Four years and a slow but steady increase in short cardio events later, I was prescribed Amiodarone 200 mg twice daily, and after controlling the events, reduced the dosage to 200 mg once daily. In the ensuing two years, my cardiac events have drastically reduced in number and severity, and my defibrillator activity is almost non-existent. I do have medium to light side effects including constipation, under-skin tingle, short-term memory loss, and an occasional feeling of unsteadiness. All a reasonable price to pay for the huge reduction of arrhythmia activity."

• Im...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2016

For Ventricular Fibrillation "Began Nexterone (amiodarone) IV in the hospital. I was taken off of it, but went into afib again, so they reinstated it. Then they started me on it orally, again went into afib so they put me back on the IV. Was discharged (after 4 weeks in the hospital intensive care ward for tachycardia/afib; sepsis; pneumonia; pancreatitis, MRSA, and then renal failure most likely as a result of all the antibiotics/meds for everything else). Taking 200 mgs per day and heart rate has been stable for the three weeks I've been out of the hospital (and on dialysis 3 days per week). The potential side effects (lung scarring, liver and thyroid issues, and eyesight issues, which I think I am already developing) are extremely scary. Would like to DC."

• fly...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 20, 2017

For Arrhythmia "Was in the hospital for AFib with RVR, which came on about 3 days before an ablation procedure that had been scheduled for the AFib. After two days of trying other drugs to keep my rate down and them working but barely, the cardiac ICU decided to try this drug to break me out of the rhythm. Apparently, I'm allergic to it because within minutes of starting an IV drip of it, I started getting flush and getting that same feeling as when you have the contrast dye for a CT. Of course, we immediately shut it off, and there seems to be no lasting problems since I had so little of it. Definitely can't recommend this drug unless it's an absolute last resort based on my experiences with it and everything I've read after the fact about the side effects."

• Res...
• February 9, 2016

For Arrhythmia "This drug is finally allowing me to live life again. After 3 ablations, 2 cardioversions, and numerous anti-arrhythmic drugs, I am able to exercise without gasping for breath. My electrophysiologist put me on the drug saying only 5 months: I take 200 mg 2 times a day for the first month, and then it will be 1 a day for four months. The last ablation was quite extensive, so the heart needs help for 5 months. He explained that this drug has so many potential side effects, but after 2 weeks the only problem I have is constipation. I can deal with that!"

• Gar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 25, 2021

For Ventricular Fibrillation "My husband was on amiodarone to prevent the defibrillator from going off. His initial dosages were quite high for one week, then levels tapered down. After six weeks of relative healthiness, we went on a Caribbean cruise. Two days into the cruise, he was very short of breath and, at times, incoherent. The ship doctor’s findings were bilateral pulmonary infiltration, O2 saturation of 50%, and pO2 level of 55. In St. Maarten hospital intensive care. Testing for virus and bacteria was negative. A pulmonologist researched his meds. Amiodarone is the culprit. It is taking weeks to leave his body. He is still on CPAP, sats are at 94% but he is getting 50% O2 at 4 liters. When we can finally fly back to the US, I have every intention of seeking medico-legal assistance. I don't think he will ever recover, he needs O2 for the rest of his life. I see many attorneys taking on these cases, with some class action occurring. THIS DRUG NEEDS TO BE REMOVED FROM THE MARKET."

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2019

For Ventricular Tachycardia "Nope. Nada, never again. This med had me so doped I could hardly function! When I would look to the left or the right, my peripheral vision would literally bounce. The electrophysiologist allowed me to stop taking it but warned that we needed to wean off of it, so that's what I did. This is one nasty medication if you want quality of life in spite of V-Tach!"

• Bar...
• August 14, 2011

For Ventricular Tachycardia "Had implanted defibrillator fitted in the UK in 2001, moved to Spain in 2002, was getting occasional shocks, and in 2006, prescribed amiodarone by cardiologist. Shock-free for four years, but thyroid overactivity in 2010 caused change to different medicines. I get more shocks than ever and beg to go back on amiodarone even at a reduced dosage, but no agreement yet. Had a shock while driving last week and two more today while relaxing by the pool. I'm nearly 77, alone in Spain, and have had enough of this. Can't drive again. Many problems. No side effects."

• SFR...
• August 9, 2013

For Ventricular Tachycardia "I have no doubt that Amiodarone helps some people, but I'm one of those people it didn't help. I have polymorphic ventricular tachycardia with signs of long QT syndrome. Because of my V-fib episode (saved by my ICD), my doctor placed me on an Amiodarone regimen with routine organ monitoring. This is making my arrhythmias worse. I have day-long episodes of PVC and VTAC runs. I learned that this medicine doesn't work with my type of ventricular tachycardia."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 28, 2020

For Arrhythmia "Been taking 100 mg Amiodarone and Bisoprolol 7.5 mg per day for almost a year now. Side effects are feeling groggy the next day and having sleeping problems. So, I take Zolpidem at times and Valerian Root and Passion Flower to get a good night's sleep. Midnight to 9 a.m. most nights. Without sleeping aids, I used to wake up between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. and not be able to get back to sleep. Do not like taking sleeping pills, but found it very difficult waking at 4 and not being able to get back to sleep. I am 79 years old and have never had sleep problems ever in my life before taking Amiodarone and Bisoprolol for AF. It has worked to get my heart rate down from 140 bpm to 65 bpm. But horrible not being able to sleep all night."

• Max...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 5, 2018

For Ventricular Fibrillation "Was put on Amiodarone while in the hospital, then given 800 mg to take when I got home. Was breathless when I left the hospital, could not get my breath that night, 0 blood pressure, rushed back to the hospital the next day, lucky to still be here. Now all my records show allergic to Amiodarone. Was on Levothyroxine, should never have been put on Amiodarone as it is full of iodine. See Amiodarone thyroid toxicity."

• Kil...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 25, 2019

For Ventricular Tachycardia "I have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, septal myectomy in April 2015. Had short runs of v-tach that made my life awful. I have a defibrillator, but how can you function always feeling unwell? It was decided by my physician and myself that I wanted my quality of life back - even if it killed me. It has been the best three years of my life. I’m back to farming and being physical and waking up the same as when I went to bed. Tested every 6 months... it’s worth it to have more than just existence..."

• BFH...
• April 1, 2021

For Arrhythmia "My 84-year-old father was put on Amiodarone for atrial fibrillation after two cardiac conversions that were unsuccessful. He became confused, thought his feet were gone, oxygen levels dropped into the 70s on room air, and died within one week of starting the medication."

• Cap...
• August 22, 2014

For Ventricular Fibrillation "After taking medicine for a year after ablation, I started getting severe constipation and low thyroid. The doctor then took me off of it. No more constipation! Just feeling tired now and need to get my thyroid checked again. Also, my heart has stayed in rhythm thus far for about 4 weeks."

• Anonymous
• August 13, 2009

For Ventricular Fibrillation "Three weeks after commencing amiodarone, I had developed an itchy skin rash (under clothing, not photosensitive), which started below my knees and spread over my whole body within eight weeks. At that time, I wore a halter monitor to assess rhythm, and my condition was worse than when I was on other medicines. The side effects were pronounced, the results poor, at least in my case."

• jan...
• May 16, 2011

For Ventricular Tachycardia "Great medicine to control atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia, but a lot of side effects. I got hyperthyroidism because of that, and since I have a defibrillator, my heart rate was jumping from 100 to 200 b/sec. I got shocked like 17 times while going to work (because my heart was going over 200 beats/sec). Then I used other medicines, but no luck. Now I am back on amiodarone because I got shocked and passed out and had a stroke. The doctor said there is no other option but amiodarone and hope for the heart transplant."

• Rit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 30, 2024

Amiodarone for Supraventricular Tachycardia "I have trouble walking, always dizzy, and constant constipation. Exhausted all day, plus signs of liver and kidney damage. Heart rate is better, but don’t like the side effects. I decided to stop taking it. Will deal with the heart condition. I’m taking 200 mg once a day until I decided to stop. I was on 2 x a day for a month after a failed procedure. It did do what it's supposed to do, I’m not denying that, but can’t deal with the side effects."

• JJJ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2023

For Arrhythmia "This should be removed from the market. I stopped taking this eight months ago. I have deposits in my cornea. I have photophobia and blurred vision. I cannot walk quickly because my knees and shoulders are very painful. This poison was given by IV in the hospital and then in tablet form for five months after the hospitalization. I was in very good health before this med. If you are ever prescribed this horrible drug… leave or run!!"

• Sho...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2022

For Arrhythmia "Amiodarone for me is fantastic! I started at a low dose of 200 mg twice a day, and my heart rhythm is normal. I will get a lower dose in a week. I look forward to this continuing. Please work with your doc to find the right drug for you. Don’t give up.:)"

• Rem...
• October 3, 2017

For Ventricular Tachycardia "I had two ventricular tachycardia experiences, my ICU corrected both. I was given amiodarone intravenously in the hospital. Then 400 mg orally when I was released. I experienced rashes, uneasiness, trouble walking, insomnia, real bad. Nervous all the time. This stuff is strong and should be used cautiously. Serious medicine. It wasn’t good for me. I am off it now. I understand it takes months to get this stuff out of your system due to its extremely long half-life! Good grief!"

• Pat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 22, 2018

For Arrhythmia "Have an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and have been taking 100 mg a day of amiodarone together with other drugs for 4 years. Don’t appear to have any symptoms that could be put down to this drug. Stops distressing shocks. I’m 90! Have blood tests every 6 months to check all is well."