Propafenone and Shortness Of Breath: 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?"

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 15, 2019

For Atrial Fibrillation "Medication works great for AFib. Calms my heartbeat down throughout the day. But after 3 months on this med, it's causing me shortness of breath while I sleep with my oxygen on and also shortness of breath at times walking around. I do have a metallic taste in my mouth. I am very tired and weak at times. I did not have this prior to the new med other than a busy working heart."

• Anonymous
• January 19, 2012

For Atrial Fibrillation "I was on Toprol XL for many years, and one day it just stopped working. I had a procedure, and things got worse. I started on propafenone, my heart is doing much better, but I have a bad taste in my mouth that is better than heart problems. I also seem to have difficulty breathing. It is like I am too tired to breathe, but I am hoping that feeling goes away because it is wonderful to have my heart beating regularly."

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

Propafenone for Atrial Fibrillation "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."

• 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."