Propafenone and Constipation: What Users Say

• lio...
• September 24, 2020

Propafenone for Atrial Fibrillation "I have taken Rythmol for about 6 months now in combination with Xarelto. I absolutely hate taking any meds at all! I was having to go to the ER and was hospitalized several times before I started on it for afib and high BP. That is fairly controlled now, which I am thankful for. The biggest side effects I see are drying of skin, especially feet, arms, hands, extreme constipation, like my gut feels paralyzed no matter what I eat, and sometimes a drop in BP, especially after meals and first thing in the morning. I want to get off the meds but am afraid to, don't know how, and cannot get doctor's approval for that so far."

• Anonymous
• December 5, 2010

Propafenone for Atrial Fibrillation "I have been on Rythmol 425 for 9 months. It seems to have controlled my atrial fibrillation, as I know of only a couple occurrences since I started the Rythmol. Side effects have diminished, but still have bouts of fatigue and constipation. This medicine seems to be okay, but I hate taking something continuously at 51 years old."

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

For Atrial Fibrillation "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!"

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

For Atrial Fibrillation "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."