Amiodarone for Ventricular Fibrillation User Reviews

• fru...
• December 24, 2011

"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."

• Kim...
• April 16, 2017

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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."

• Cap...
• August 22, 2014

"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

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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

"*****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."

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

"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."

• Raf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 22, 2018

"Amiodarone is very good at preventing a heart attack. It keeps my heart beating normally."

• WOR...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 5, 2016

"My EF improved from 29 to 40. No more, no more fibrillation, and the CVA will not return."

• Unc...
• November 25, 2017

"Has really helped me for the last 5 months."