Propafenone for Atrial Fibrillation User Reviews (Page 2)

• Bev...
• November 4, 2015

"I was diagnosed with AFIB about 8 months ago and put on Rythmol. I'm a 51-year-old female. It has been such a blessing to my life to live normally again. I get an 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..."

• Xen...
• May 13, 2016

"I am a 57-year-old female, had a massive ischemic stroke 11/2014 due to atrial fibrillation followed by a second stroke 3/2015. Had a Watchman device implanted to prevent further strokes. My blood pressure is low to start, and I have persistent atrial fibrillation and have not had normal sinus rhythm for over a year. I am on Rythmol for the second time, 325 twice a day. It made me very dizzy, balance issues, tired in the afternoon but can't sleep at night. The atrial fibrillation has not gone away, but I only skip a beat out of every ten or so, which is an improvement and the pauses seem to be shorter. The plan is cardiac conversion, if there is not a significant improvement, then ablation. Runner 40+ years, vegetarian, never smoked. Sucks :("

• Mia...
• March 16, 2008

Propafenone "I just switched to Rythmol from Toprol and am checking it out. My heart hasn't done 'afib' type things, but I do have a horrible metallic taste that I wish would go away. Outside of that, it seems OK so far. Let me know your thoughts. I am a 51-year-old male."

• Jun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2021

Propafenone "I'm a 49-year-old male and have only taken propafenone slow release for 3 weeks and do NOT like it. I'm out of breath just walking, and my heart is going crazy all the time. I feel it made things worse. I have an ablation surgery coming in a few days, hopefully, that'll help. Very discouraged right now."

• Anonymous
• August 5, 2009

Propafenone "Since starting Rythmol SR 425 2.5 years ago, the percentage of time in atrial fibrillation has dropped from over 20% to under 3%. Absolutely no side effects. Glad I have insurance, though, and pay $120 for a 90-day supply, rather than over $1,000."

• TaS...
• September 4, 2015

"I'm a 56-year-old male, active, and I was diagnosed with afib about 20 months ago. When it first started, I thought it was anxiety and didn't go to the doctor until I had an episode that lasted 9 hours. After 2 months of tests, the doctor put me on 150 mg twice a day. After 7 or 8 months, it was 3 times a day because episodes were almost every day and getting worse. After 12 months, it was 225 mg twice and 150 mg one time a day, and I was still having episodes every day. I told him that and was told to learn to live with it. A new doctor put me on 325 ER 2 times per day, and after 1 week called and said it was the worst week I have had in a year. I'm now on 425 mg twice a day for the last 8 weeks. I have episodes every day still, some days worse than others. I have more tests scheduled for next week."

• Nat...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 16, 2016

"I'm a 30-year-old male. When I was 21, I started getting supraventricular tachycardia and a ton of ectopic beats. I was put on flecainide, which was very bad. The side effects were terrible. I came off them and started getting atrial fibrillation. So, I was then put on 150 mg of propafenone hydrochloride twice a day, which had no side effects and made my heart so much better. Not a cure, because every day I got ectopics, or when I got really stressed, it would fall into afib, but as I've gotten older, my heart's gotten better. I haven't taken one tablet in 3 weeks, for me, that's a miracle! Even 3 weeks ago, I wasn't taking it properly. On a certain day when my heart was jumping, I'd take one, and then it stopped! I haven't had any missed beats or trouble for 3 weeks now!"

• Mrs...
• June 11, 2015

"Have been on it for a year and a half for chronic a-fib. I have had an ablation, but it did not work and am taking propafenone again until my next ablation. YES, I am very tired in the afternoon and get headaches at times. I am controlled most of the time on this drug, but still have breakthrough a-fib at times. I take 300 mg twice a day."

• Liz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2019

"I have been on propafenone for a little over a week for sudden onset of a-fib with high BP. I am a person who does not like to take any drugs and was only on Lotensin before that, but I don't want a stroke either! I have not had a repeated episode of a-fib so far, but am having side effects I am not happy about. Namely, fluid retention (I have had to take prn HCTZ twice already, which I rarely take, my ankles have some swelling, I have extreme constipation, and a metallic taste. I will be calling the cardiologist before my next appointment!"

• RDN...
• December 18, 2017

"67 years old - Been taking generic Rythmol 150 mg twice a day for 19 years. Experienced occasional AFib and multiple ectopic beats beginning in my late 20s due to apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Have not experienced an episode of AFib while taking this medication and no side effects."

• Arc...
• August 14, 2016

"Occasional episodes (one every few years) starting in my mid-30s, up to my mid-50s. In 2004, cardioversion failed to keep me out of AFIB. Hospitalized for 3 days, then converted shortly after being given a large dose of Rythmol. Needed max dose of 425 SR (Sustained Release) twice daily, which kept me in sinus 99% of the time. When the price of the SR skyrocketed a couple of years ago (WUWT?!), I switched to propafenone 150 mg every 4 hours. Paying a small fraction of what I used to. I can go months with no episodes, but then have periods lasting weeks with frequent episodes, even daily, with no change in diet or activity. Episodes last anywhere from a few minutes up to around 12 hours, rarely longer. Also on daily aspirin and metoprolol."

• Nik...
• February 25, 2017

"I had AFib the first time I got cardioconversion. It came back a month later and ended up in the ER. According to my numerous Holter monitors, I was having AFib frequently. I was unaware. I tried numerous meds, most bottomed out my BP. Propafenone works. I'm also on Eliquis, but I've been noticing hair loss. I'm tired often. I do have occasional PACs. I'm a midnight nurse. Bad habits: coffee, no sleep, stress. Weight gain did not help. I'm trying to lessen my stress. Lol."

• wil...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 28, 2021

"I'm 63 years old, have had two episodes of AFib over a year span requiring cardioversion. Have now been on propafenone since 2017 with great results, very little flutter if any. I did find that peanuts were a trigger, so I stopped eating peanuts. After a year on propafenone, I began having constipation problems and pain in my left side from gas, so I took myself off the medicine for a couple of months, which stopped the pain in my side and constipation, but I started having frequent flutters. So now back on the medicine (225 mg twice a day). To offset the constipation, I have found that eating prunes really helps. I just buy the Walmart brand and eat 4-5 in the morning. Have talked to an electrocardiologist about ablation, but the medicine so far seems to work."

• Old...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 12, 2022

"I am almost 82 years old. My whole family has a-fib (grandfather, father, siblings). Mine is paroxysmal a-fib. I have taken 150 mg of Rythmol (propafenone) three (3) times daily for almost twenty years with no ill effects. As long as I stay off hard liquor (Canadian Club, vodka), it controls the a-fib completely; have not had an episode in over a year. I still drink wine; 5-10 ozs/day - with no problem. I also take Eliquis (5 mg - 2/day), which I hate. My skin is like parchment due to too many years in the sun, so I bleed easily. Doctors say paroxysmal a-fib is dangerous; it can come on unexpectedly and last for up to seven (7) days. Clots can form in 72 hrs; i.e., stroke territory! Propafenone has been my friend for a lot of years!"

• Geo...
• June 9, 2015

"I have been taking this medication for a number of years but only when I was actually experiencing Afib. At 68, the Afib episodes became much more frequent and of longer duration. My cardiologist advised me to double my dose to 225 mg twice daily and put me on a blood thinner, but Propafenone is not working. Episodes are even longer and more distressing. I go back to the cardiologist tomorrow."

• Anonymous
• September 18, 2009

Propafenone "My husband has been using this medicine (225 mg) for nearly 2 years now. No side effects, but still has an episode at least 1 to 2 times a month. His regular doctor doesn't seem to know much about Rythmol, so thought about taking him to a specialist now that I read your other comments."

• Bre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 22, 2015

"I'm a female, age 58, diagnosed with AFIB last year. I was placed on Propafenone HCL 150 MG 3 times daily for 12 months, along with Losartan 100 mg 1 time daily. I'm 5'7", 165 lbs, in good health except for the AFIB... About 3 months ago, I became very aware of more frequent/recurrent AFIB, change in speech, noticeable hair loss, occasional tiredness/insomnia/hand tremors, and weight gain. After thorough research, however, I realized these symptoms are all side effects of Propafenone!!! It is frightening to realize that this medication can actually be worse than the diagnosis of AFIB and the chemicals in these pills are very toxic to our bodies!! I was given a 24-hour Holter monitor showing scant mitral valve disorder. I ONLY take 2 IF I feel an AFIB episode."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 8, 2016

"59 yr old m with afib since I was in my 30s. I had it under control until about 4 years ago, when I started having regular episodes of arrhythmia and frequently ended up in ER being cardioverted 7 times in 6 months. My cardiologist tried several medications that did nothing for me. I heard about Rythmol from a relative, and after getting on this medication, I have not had an episode of arrhythmia for more than a few seconds in over 3 years. Worked well for me."

• Sak...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 18, 2021

"Afib started at age 28. Attacks every other day. My weight is 81 kg. Used propafenone 300 mg + 50 mg metoprolol to convert back to SR. Pill-in-the-pocket was an awful solution. Basically just waited for the attack to occur and then suffered for an hour waiting for the medicine to work, and this happened every other day, so my life was put on hold. Started to take it regularly instead. First took 150 mg twice a day, but my metabolism is faster than expected, I guess, because propafenone's effects go out within 6-9 hours for me. Still had attacks between doses. So now I have been taking 3×150 mg daily. Eight hours between 150 mg doses seems to work fine for me. The first month, I experienced fatigue, breathlessness, and dizziness, but all side effects went away after a few weeks. Amazing drug. Lets me sleep at night and stopped my awful misery. Been taking it for about 6 months with 25 mg metoprolol daily. PS: don't eat or drink grapefruit juice, also, coffee and alcohol reduce the effects of this medicine."

• ron...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 25, 2022

"Starting going into afib for eight hours about every three days or so. Prescribed propafenone, and I take one 150 mg pill every night. I've had a couple of five-minute A-fib episodes and quickly returned to normal rhythm. It's been great for me. No side effects. Highly recommend."

• In ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2021

"I’m a 44-year-old female. I was diagnosed with AFib last week after years of my heart beating irregularly and really holding my life hostage. I’m hopeful after reading these reviews that I will also be a success story. I’m on 125 mg twice daily along with Atenolol. Thank you, everyone, for sharing your experience."

• Puz...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 26, 2021

"I had racing heart issues off and on for years. In January 2016, I went to the ER and was diagnosed with Afib. I was put on 225 mg time-released Propafenone twice a day. It wasn’t working well, so my doctor increased it to 325 mg 2 x a day. Six months later, I had an ablation and kept on the medication. I hadn’t had another Afib episode since, and no adverse side effects with the medication. Fast forward...I moved to another state 15 months ago. My new cardiologist removed me off of Propafenone...cold turkey 2 weeks ago, said I don’t need this medicine since I’ve not had Afib after the ablation. 2 days after stopping the medicine, I began to experience rapid and irregular heartbeats. I called the doctor, telling them and asking if I should have stopped it suddenly, or is there just an adjustment period? The response is to come in next week for an EKG. Everything I read says to NEVER stop this medication suddenly. Now I’m worried!"

• Mar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 29, 2023

"I have paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. When I don't feel normal (can't explain symptoms), my doctor ordered Rhythmol PRN. Prior to atrial fibrillation occurrences, I went to the ER. I am an 88-year-old retired ER RN. This prescription works within 2 hours of taking one tablet. On two occasions, once the atrial fibrillation stops, I have arrhythmia where my pulse is relatively normal, but with occasional skipped beats or occasional abnormal beats. My blood pressure drops and my pulse drops to 32 bpm. It gradually all returns to normal in 2 or 3 hours. This only happens with the two tablets."

• Tim...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 23, 2022

"For the last three years I’ve been on propafenone 425 mg twice a day and metoprolol. The combination kept my AFib at bay until recently. My AFib has been awful the last month. I ended up in the ER last week. I’ve stopped alcohol and other triggers, but AFib still persists. I’m going to meet with my electrocardiologist to discuss a change of meds."

• Mar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 28, 2023

"I have paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. When I don't feel normal (can't explain symptoms), md ordered rhythmol prn. Prior a fib occurrences, I went to ER. I am an 88-year-old retired ER RN. This RX works within 2 hrs taking one tablet. On two occasions, once the a fib stops, I have arrhythmia where the pulse is relatively normal, but occasional skipped beats or occasional abnormal beat. My BP drops and my pulse drops to 32 bpm. It gradually all returns to normal in or 3 hrs. Only happens with 2 tablets."