Amiodarone anyone?

[Natanni]

Anyone ever receive this post op? If so, did you have any GI upset with it? Husband was on Amiodarone IV for 24 hours and then an oral tablet of 200mg twice/day X 2 wks, then once day X 2 wks for atrial fib. Has been really fighting nausea but could be more related to the overall post operative open heart surgery coarse, just curious. Thanks!

 

[Ross]

Haven't taken it myself, but knowing what I know about it, I'm sure it could. I'll let those with the experience talk though.

 

[tobagotwo]

There are many threads about amiodorone, and you should do a search, as all are very specific about not staying on it for long. It has a very long half-life in the body, and is apparently rife with side effects over time.

Here's one thread: http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7421&highlight=amiodorone

Best wishes,

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Amiodarone is the SLEDGE HAMMER of antiarrhythmic medications.

Be sure to look up the benefits and side effects, either on the information sheet that comes with the prescription, or on the web or ask your pharmacist.

When taken in large doses or for a long time SERIOUS side effects can result. Because of it's long half life, it can take months to completely leave the body even after completely stopping the drug. I have told my Cardiologist that I want to exhaust ALL treatment options before considering Amiodarone.

Did you ask the doctor (cardio or surgeon?) why he chose to go with Amiodarone as his first choice?

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Natanni]

Amiodarone

Amiodarone

We didn't ask him about it because to be honest, I really had not read up much on the subject prior to surgery. I feel guilty now as I am a nurse but we don't use this particular med in our hosptial all that often.

Nathan went into atrial fib on Saturday and this must have been the surgeon's first choice, and I didn't really question it. I just wanted the a-fib to go away. He is having some strange symptoms (nausea being worst, strange tastes, the saliva is odd, hot flashes, etc) but they was a slight improvement today. Would it be worth it to ask for another med to control his atrial fib? Would the introduction of a new med work once the amiodarone has been initiated like this? I did get him some Pepcid tonight and that helped.

 

[tobagotwo]

The weird effects he is having are more likely from shaking off the many chemicals from the anesthesia. It takes weeks to get them out of the body, and there is some general thought that it is largely responsible for the loss/change of taste, some of the sweating, and some stomach upset (narcotic painkillers being a big contributor to that).

I also think the stool softeners they give to offset the iron pills and narcotics are murder on the stomach.

So, I wouldn't lay the symptoms you described on the amiodorone. But my personal choice would be to strongly push the doctor to reconsider the drug in the very near term.

As I said, it would be good to search for it:

- click on search on the blue bar at the top of the thread

- click on advanced search

- in the key words box, enter amiodorone

- in find posts from, set it to a year ago

- click on search now, at the bottom

Should be lots to see.

Best wishes,

 

[ALCapshaw2]

There are two generally accepted approaches to Atrial Fibrilation: Rate Control (with Beta Blockers and Coumadin) or Suppression with targeted anti-arrhythmics (Betapace / Sotalol).

Beta Blockers (Atenolol, Toprol, Toprol XL, etc.) work for 'mild' cases. Betapace targets A-Fib but may take some time to become effective. It has more side effects than the milder Beta Blockers (dizzyness primarily) which goes away after a week or three.

I developed exercise induced A-Fib a few years post AVR due to another condition. One cardiologist recommended Amiodarone which I declined. A more conservative cardio suggested Sotalol (generic form of Betapace) which resolved my (exercise induced) A-Fib after a few weeks. There are a few other anti-arrhythmics available as well. Some of our other members have used them successfully. You may be able to find relevant posts doing a search for A-Fib (if you don't get overloaded with hits!)

'AL Capshaw'

 

[ClickerTicker]

Take a look at these two sites for side-effects of amiodarone:
http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Profs/PUarticles/amiod.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/amiodarone/article.htm

 

[tantekay]

Hi! I don't know if I can offer much help with the amiodarone topic, but my son has been on it since he was about 6 weeks old. He was born with quite a few heart defects and has his first open heart surgery at 4 weeks old. After the surgery he developed SVT's (supraventricular tychacardia - don't know if I spelled that correctly or not) but anyway, they tried many different things to bring his heart rate down - it has spiked in the 300's, but they ended up using iv amiodarone, and at some point was also giving him esmolol (spelling?). Anyway to make a long story a little shorter, he ended up on an oral form of amiodarone and has been on it since. I do know, for children, that they are supposed to give exact doses base on the patients weight. As my son has grown we've upped the dosage to keep up with the weight. It does have a long half life, if he stopped taking it today it would be in his system for up to 45 days. To our knowledge he does not have any problems with nausea. He pretty much eats anything he wants and will eat all the time. Spicy things don't seem to bother him either, of course we monitor the spice factor -- no jalapenos for a 2 year old haha! Of course, if you need any other help always call the pharmacist or your doctor. I hope I've helped a little and your husband is doing well. Take care. Karen

 

[Cris N]

I was on amiodarone (twice the dosage your hubby is on) for a month. No tummy problems for me from it. My stomach troubles were from pain & iron pills. Got those solved & all was well. Happy to be off it though.

 

[KAJ]

I also went into A-Fib and was on a amiodarone tablet for about 2 months after surgery. I did not have the nausea but my stomach felt like it had a huge pile of mud inside. This went on for about 2 months after surgery. I also suspect that as others have already stated, that a combination of all the other meds contributed to the problem as well.

Karl