Amiodarone User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Scr...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 16, 2018

For Ventricular Tachycardia "While helping the heart condition, I experience substantial debilitating side effects with this medication: severe fatigue, wheezing, red/itchy eyes, renal failure, painful scrotum, difficulty walking, swollen hands after sunlight, back pain, several other not-so-debilitating symptoms."

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 23, 2024

For Ventricular Fibrillation "I've not had any issues with this medication as of yet, I've been on this medication for about a year now. But sometimes my heart starts beating irregularly. I am curious about new medicine to treat my condition. I'll have to investigate clinical trials with new medicine and see how much it's helping stabilize the irregular electrical impulses."

• Anonymous
• April 17, 2011

For Ventricular Tachycardia "After failed ablations, as well as trying virtually every antiarrhythmic medicine on the market, amiodarone is the only medicine that controls my 13-year-old's ventricular tachycardia. Notable side effects for her are severe sunburn and marginal hyperthyroid (not to the level of where it needs to be medically managed)."

• Ham...
• June 10, 2015

For Arrhythmia "Taking for 2 months prior to ablation, and 1 month after. It seems really strong at first, kind of makes you dizzy, but I got used to it within a few days. I can't say I've had any problems with it at all, other than being in the sun/heat seems to make me very tired very quickly. Keeps my rhythm good. I wanted to say, not being sick or dealing with pain or excessive stress is a MASSIVE part of staying in rhythm. The heart will react to anything wrong or unusual with the body. Even a cold/flu or even allergy symptoms."

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2020

For Ventricular Tachycardia "I experience 10,000 or more PVCs every day, which reduce the heart EF. Started taking 200 mg Amiodarone twice a day in December with no immediate side effects. After 30 days, I will be taking 200 mg once a day, and then drop to 100 mg per day for the next few years. I am concerned about long-term side effects, but will have to wait and see. Probably will need more frequent blood tests to be sure there are not some hidden problems. Amiodarone does eliminate some antibiotics I have used in the past, so I will need to find acceptable ones if needed in the future. All heart medications I take do not seem to have serious interactions with Amiodarone, but dosages may have to be changed."

• Nic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 10, 2015

For Ventricular Fibrillation "I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation back in April. I was put on this medication as a way of helping my heart return to its regular beat. I had my heart shocked about a month ago, and because I hadn't been on the medication long enough, the procedure was a failure."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2022

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "I started having heart palpitations at age 64. My cardiologist immediately prescribed Amiodarone. He told me not to Google it and look at the side effects. That certainly triggered my curiosity. The medication did help with the SVT, but after taking it for only 8 months, I have an elevated thyroid. My primary doctor is monitoring me. When I turned 65, the cardiologist immediately put me on Xarelto due to stroke risk with age and SVT. I have been in the hospital 3 times with severe nosebleeds and now very anemic. I went to a new cardiologist. He said he would never use that medication for SVT for a 65-year-old, maybe a 95-year-old, but not my age. He said it has too many side effects. On top of this medication making my thyroid high, I now have pulmonary toxicity. 3 chest x-rays show damage to lower lungs, but it isn’t a huge area. I could kick myself for continuing to use both meds after all the side effects and damage that’s been done. Run and get another opinion!"

• Fem...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 1, 2018

For Arrhythmia "Had ablation at the end of 2015, which did not work well for me. Was prescribed Sotalol for a few months, which did not control afib. Then put on Amiodarone. After almost a year still having afib, it finally started to work. Found out it was doing bad things to the liver, and also acquired gastroparesis. Felt that was a result of Amiodarone plus my depression. Since this med has a long half-life, I was enjoying not having afib for almost a year, while also learning how to deal with the gastro diagnosis. I still continued Metoprolol Tartrate with Eliquis during this time. My afib returned in Dec. of 2017. For now, I am continuing Met and Eliquis since I have afib about every 8-14 days. If I start having it more often, will add another antiarrhythmic. The gastroparesis is well controlled."

• bug...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2015

For Arrhythmia "I have been taking this for only 1 week, and my side effects are hard to deal with. I am very tired, and my pulse dips to the 40s. I am taking 400 mg 2 times a day, so hopefully at my follow-up, the Dr. will reduce it. My chest hurts on and off, but that could be due to 3 cardioversions in 6 weeks' time. I have had A-fib episodes for the last 5 years, so this is my last medicine to try. So far, it is working. I feel the familiar flutters and then...nothing. I am glad it is keeping my rhythm intact."

• Aun...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 5, 2023

For Ventricular Fibrillation "My grandmother was taking this medication for over 2 years for ventricular fibrillation. Recently, she was struggling with her oxygen levels and was misdiagnosed with pneumonia. It appears that the low oxygen levels resulted from the amiodarone. She passed away after a week in the hospital."

• Jay...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 7, 2022

For Ventricular Fibrillation "*****WARNING***** This drug is like walking through a nuclear war zone! The side effects were over the top, from the standpoint of all the ones listed on Drug.com, I experienced. The worst was the rash, neuropathy, etc. Over the years, the occurrences became overwhelming, and the doctor pretty much said, grin and bear it! Fortunately, my heart rebounded to pretty much normal functioning... ejection fraction of 17 to 60s... It is hard to say if the drug helped, but I do know the side effects were brutal! Word of advice! Challenge your doctor and ask questions."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 12, 2022

For Ventricular Tachycardia "I had ventricular tachycardia due to AV block second degree for which I had a pacemaker installed. I am also a bradycardia case. Also, I am using 100 mg Amiodarone for over a year, once a day. I am feeling okay with no arrhythmias so far. The cardiologist will be performing an AV ablation to see if Amiodarone can be eliminated from my daily take since often I feel too tired in the afternoon and also feel uncomfortable on some days. I have the feeling Amiodarone is the problem due to its long half-life. Now I am using 100 mg every other day until full elimination (I hope)."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2022

For Arrhythmia "Had open heart surgery June 2019. On discharge, was given 200 mg amiodarone tablet daily, only took a few days, did not finish course. Caused vivid, detailed dreams and a sleep disorder. After dreams, wide awake, cannot go back to sleep. Go to bed at 12:00 a.m., have two or three dreams per night. Usually get up at 3:00 or 4:00 or 5:00 a.m. I go back to sleep at 10:00 a.m. and sleep till 2:00 p.m. (if I can), no other side effects. Was not warned of side effects by heart doctors. Current doctors and nurses do not believe I could have side effects three years later."

• Bjt...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2021

For Arrhythmia "On the plus side, this drug stopped my atrial fibrillation in its tracks. On the negative side, I had chronic nausea, anorexia, low bp (sometimes 70/40), gritty eyes with blurred vision, and a chronic cough. As a nurse, I know that amiodarone is considered a rescue drug and not meant for long-term use. Do the risks outweigh the benefits?"

• Tom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2022

For Arrhythmia "For me, this medication absolutely wrecked me. Started with dyspnea and bronchial spasms, then worsened from there into cough, nausea, a regimen of naps due to sleepiness, being cold, gastrointestinal issues, and more. And I was on a low dose of 400 mg. Fast forward as the EP takes me off it to go to Sotalol (another horror story), which I eventually discontinued as well. At this time, one would think symptoms would improve; they did not. I went to the GP, who did a list of blood tests only to find my thyroid and liver were a wreck. Previous blood tests show no issues here which led him to believe the amiodarone was the suspect. Yes, my body is hypersensitive to this class of medication. My first warning came from the cardiologist when I told him my EP started me on amiodarone, and he said, 'ewwww.' I asked why, and he bailed out by saying I am not the prescribing physician."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2021

For Ventricular Fibrillation "Been on amiodarone for about 6 months due to AFIB for over six months. Did not see a cardiologist due to COVID. Started on 400 mg per day, then 200 mg per day until cardioversion. Went back into sinus rhythm in the operating theater, so cardioversion was aborted. The drug does help my AFIB. Side effects are very bad dreams, insomnia, skin rash that is difficult to heal, and now hypothyroidism. Started on thyroid medication today. The electrophysiologist wants to do ablation, but I declined."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2021

For Ventricular Tachycardia "I went through some shocks due to oversight by MD, who had me on high doses of steroids and eventually caused a heartbeat of 180, setting off the implant. Doctors put me on 200 mg amiodarone. I experienced every bad side effect from this medicine. Felt like I was going to die at many times. Dangerous drug, mentally and physically. Be careful, please."

• Meg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2021

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "I am taking amiodarone 100 mg since 5 months. After 2 weeks, my supraventricular tachycardia, previously 2-3 times/week, did disappear. No lung or liver complications, except photosensitivity and vision problems. I replaced iodized salt with Himalaya and pray God to keep me out of salt. Though, tiredness is excessive, so probably I will discontinue."

• Rob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2022

For Arrhythmia "My experience was horrible. I felt absolutely awful for the entire month that I took the drug with lightheadedness and shortness of breath. Another annoying side effect is that my knuckles and toes turned blue."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2021

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "Started with amiodarone 200 mg without food, in the middle of the day, (in the AM I take my HTN meds irbesartan, hydrochlorothiazide, plus metformin for frequent supraventricular tachycardia 5-4 times/week, regular with few PVT, with episodes 5 minutes to 3 hours almost daily, apparently calmed down by repeated Valsalva maneuver. Being 81 years old with multiple other conditions, I refused atrial ablation. I tried diltiazem, metoprolol, bisoprolol alone, having also HTN. Nothing worked, got progressively tired (plus other side effects), and slowly SVT duration and frequency increased under any of the above treatment until Dr. at one episode under 1. Added at bisoprolol 5 mg, amiodarone 200 mg. After 2 weeks, I saw HR 46-47, so I reduced to half, and my situation is improved (1 SVT under 15 min./week stopped after Valsalva."

• Wil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2021

For Ventricular Tachycardia "After having three heart attacks, got a defibrillator/pace ICD set at 180. May 2021, heart pain at the hospital, heart got to 170 - was shocked 12 times, could not get in rhythm. Finally got oxygen. Now amiodarone 200 mg - loss of balance but alive and okay."

• Hap...
• December 16, 2021

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "I am 81 years old with multiple other problems who tried in the last 2 years all beta blockers and calcium channel blockers for episodes of supraventricular tachycardia with some PVC, duration between 10 min. to 2-3 hr. I refused atrial ablation because of many contraindications. Arrhythmia doctor reluctantly accepted to start with Amiodarone 200 mg, 11 months ago, but more for his purse than my interest. After 2 weeks, I had improved and I reduced to 100 mg. (I was a retired MD). Since 7 months, no arrhythmia, but I have problems with who has to prescribe and monitor for side effects! The cardiologist told me only the arrhythmia doctor can do, but at 2 appointments, he was busy, probably working in the EKG lab on patients who accepted the surgical procedure during the electrophysiology study. It is a problem with doctor ruling, not medication if used in a low dose, as I saw used in the UK and Australia for the elderly. I have to go and pay to PCP, cardiologist, and arrhythmia specialist just to order blood tests, CXR!"

• Chl...
• May 14, 2023

For Ventricular Tachycardia "Got diagnosed with vtach last year, in addition to heart failure. My ef fell from 45-50 to 30-35. I am not a candidate for ablation because my arrhythmia comes from multiple spots. Been on amiodarone for a few months. My ectopic beats went from 18 percent to under one percent. At the 6-month point, I have blood work for side effects and a lung test. For what it's designed to help with, the drug works. I have a Kardia mobile heart rate monitor and I am testing as normal sinus rhythm and rate."

• Dav...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 21, 2025

For Arrhythmia "I have been taking this since Feb 2024 for afib. I have gone through all the other afib drugs, but the condition kept returning, so my cardiologist put me on this. Fortunately, I have had none of the side effects, though I'm not sure if this drug actually works. My afib did return almost 1 year after my last cardioversion."

• Anonymous
• December 1, 2011

Amiodarone for Arrhythmia "On this medicine for 6 years. No recognized side effects. Last X-ray, lungs okay."