Propafenone and Fatigue: 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?"

• 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."

• Pen...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 22, 2021

For Atrial Fibrillation "I have been on propafenone for approximately 10 years for A-Fib. I have paroxysmal A-Fib (it would occur every 4-6 weeks and last for several hours), diagnosed 11 years ago. Initially, I took four 150 mg tablets/day. I felt awful, especially in the morning... nausea, brain fog, fatigue. The dose was then cut in half, and since then, I have very few, if any, side effects and no A-Fib!"

• 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."