Amiodarone for Arrhythmia User Reviews (Page 2)

• Res...
• February 9, 2016

"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!"

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

"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."

• BFH...
• April 1, 2021

"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."

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

"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.:)"

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

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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!!"

• Ham...
• June 10, 2015

"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."

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

"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

"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."

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

"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

"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 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."

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

"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."

• Anonymous
• December 1, 2011

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

• Bic...
• May 18, 2020

"On amiodarone I had panic attacks, couldn’t sleep, life was a challenge because I felt so bad... hard to describe how bad I felt. I would rather die than go back on that drug."

• Anonymous
• December 7, 2010

Amiodarone "Decreased sexual drive/interest. Tired feeling and going to bed early."

• jen...
• September 19, 2015

Amiodarone "I take 200 mg od, and after the 2nd dose, I started feeling chest congestion, dry cough, pain in the diaphragm, loss of appetite, and nausea."

• vin...
• February 22, 2011

"I've been taking Amiodarone for about 2 years now. No side effects, good control of Atrial Fibrillation."

• Deb...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 27, 2018

"If you have a thyroid problem, watch this drug. Hyperthyroidism people have to limit their iodine intake. This drug is loaded with iodine. Takes up to a year to get rid of it. It’s a toxic drug."

• Anonymous
• February 11, 2010

Amiodarone "Terrible sun sensitivity. Hands became swollen, but didn't peel or blister. Swelling subsided after approximately 3 days."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 1, 2015

Amiodarone "General weakness, tired muscles, constipation, lapsus, and sets the beats straight. Age 62, weight 75 kg, height 5' 11. Took the 200 gms tablet for 3 months."

• mik...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 28, 2015

"Been on this medication for over 5 years, no side effects. Medication has worked so well, dosage was reduced."

• JET...
• January 30, 2015

"Excellent for arrhythmia. Lots and lots of negative side effects. Nothing else available for my particular problem."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2023

"Turned toxic, almost killed me. Took out my lungs. Through God's grace, I am alive."