Propafenone and Dizziness: What Users Say

• CJa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 17, 2018

For Atrial Fibrillation "46 yr-old male; developed occasional AF in early 40s. By last year, it was bad enough that I couldn't ignore it. Flecainide plus metoprolol was terrible (pounding beats and felt sick all the time), but propafenone has been great. I'm on max dose (425 twice a day). I've had 4 episodes in the last 6 months, compared to daily episodes before. BUT, I am interested in people's experiences of side effects. I have some of the usual ones (fatigue, metallic taste in mouth, dizziness). But the one that really bugs me is shortness of breath. Hard to concentrate when that happens. Side effects seem to come and go, and I can't figure out any cause: have tried cutting out caffeine, alcohol, compression socks (wondering if it was low BP). All seemed to work for a while, though that might have just been my imagination, then stopped working. Anyone have any thoughts?"

• Mar...
• May 4, 2009

Propafenone for Atrial Fibrillation "I have been on Rythmol SR for about 6 weeks now. I was originally diagnosed with atrial flutter, but after the ablation procedure for this, it was then determined that I had atrial fibrillation and was put on Rythmol SR. This drug does not 'solve' or 'cure' the problem - all it does is subside it temporarily. As a result, I am scheduled for an atrial fibrillation ablation procedure this month. I have also had numerous side effects (dizziness and bad taste in mouth)."

• Xen...
• May 13, 2016

For Atrial Fibrillation "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 :("

• Xen...
• May 13, 2016

For Atrial Fibrillation "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 :("

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

For Atrial Fibrillation "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."

• Pat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 20, 2019

For Atrial Flutter "Worse drug I ever took. My heart beat through my chest. Dizzy and felt like I would pass out if I even got up. Not recommended and will never take again."

• Ros...
• March 25, 2018

For Atrial Flutter "Worst drug I have ever taken. Wide effects were dizziness and increased my heart rate, etc."