Medication Question-Amiodarone

[Taysgrama]

I saw the electrical Cardio yesterday and he pulled me off the one medication to try and control my heart rate (atenenol) and wants me to take a stronger one since that one did not work. Well, that medication is called Amiodarone and I am sooooo glad that I did not have it filled last night and start taking it without doing some background checks on it. According to everything I can find on it, you cannot take this medication if you are allergic to iodine (I am deathly allergic to any form of iodine), you cannot take it if you have thyroid problems (again, I am missing half mine and take medication for it), if you have liver problems (I do) and if you are on coumadin (with an artificial valve, of course I am). It also says to take the first few doses in a hospital envirnoment because there can be near fatal side effects.

I just left a message for him, but I cannot believe that he did not look at my chart to see that I am on Coumadin and that I am highly allergic to iodine. Any suggestions? Thanks again all!!

Diana (Franklin, Ohio)
AVR 5/2008 Dayton Heart Hospital

 

[JimL]

Definitely talk to the doctor more before taking this. I don't know anything about most of the conflicts you mention, only about coumadin. But then, I took amio seven years ago, and maybe something has changed. Then there was no problem taking the two together, although you definitely need to be aware that the amio will half your coumadin dose -- a fact my cardio didn't tell me, one of the reasons I fired him. I read the article on amio in the PDR of the day, which made it clear that only one-fourth of those who take the drug have side effects, an extremely high number. Use with caution.

 

[Cooker]

Sounds like time to maybe look for another doctor or least ask some serious questions.... I was on it a short while with no problem but I don't have the issues you have.....

 

[bvdr]

I've got a St.Jude mitral valve and am on coumadin and took amiodarone for several months last year. I was aware of the thyroid contraindications but I too had not heard of some of the others you list. Amiodarone is usually to stave off or suppress atrial fib. Is that the indication that he prescribed it too you or because your heart rate is too fast? If it is just the heart rate than maybe a different beta blocker or ?calcium channel blocker. What dose of atenolol have you been on?

 

[Ross]

You have the major reason for not taking...The iodine allergy! The Coumadin thing can be adjusted for, so that's not an issue. What troubles me with all these Doctors prescribing it is, that the manufacturer states clearly in their prescribing info, that it is to be used as a last resort, when all other medications have been tried and failed.

 

[lb151]

I didnt have the issues with amio that you have,,however,,I am still dealing with the side effects of that drug. Its not one to be taken lightly. Yet another example of how we need to educate ourselves.
good job!

 

[Taysgrama]

He gave me the medication to control the heart rate and because of the PAC's and PVC's that I continue to have. He said that this medication was a last ditch stop before surgery to have an ICD implanted. He also said that my mitral valve is part of the problem (I have regurg and prolapse) but that it was not all of the problem. I really do not want to take a drug that has that many life threatening side effects either. I have taken 4 different beta blockers, etc and none of them have worked so that is why he wanted me to start this one.

Of course, I will NOT be taking it, allergy to Iodine being the main one. I have called his office again but still have not received a return call. I am just really angry that he did not pay attention to my chart that clearly states in BOLD LARGE RED letters that I am allergic to iodine and that this medication is an iodine based medication! I am thinking that I may need to find a new electrical cardiologist.

Thanks for all your replies. They are greatly appreciated!! diana

 

[neil]

yea you do right to double check,i was on it after my ohs for just over 2 month to deal with my af.......i never had any trouble with it touch wood,but have heard a lot of things about it,some good some bad............neil

 

[Ross]

Ask him about Betapace or Sotolol.

 

[hall]

I was on it for a month or so and I told the doc I wanted off of it. I went off and did not have any problems w/that med. I would sure find another doctor if I were you. You can not afford that doc. That could have cost you big time if you did not research the drug Hope everything goes better for you.

 

[kfay]

I was put on Amiodarone for 3 months after my surgery (I only took it for 1) while I was also taking coumadin. That did not cause any problems.

With all of the rhythm problems I have been having lately, I told my new EP DR. that even though I am not a fan of this drug at all, I would take it now to get some relief. He said he would never put a 45 year old on that drug unless they were in dire shape, which I am presently not. He said there is a whole list of other drugs to try, with each getting a little more toxic, but that Amiodarone would not be on that list at this point. So, I do agree that alot of Dr's prescribe it first because they don't want to be bothered seeing you every 4 weeks to try other meds to get you sorted. Push your Dr. to try something else or find a new Dr.

Kim

 

[Taysgrama]

I am here to tell you that my EP doctor is a real moron...I called and left a message yesterday regarding my iodine allergy and he had the nerve to call me this morning and tell me to take the medication even though it has 37.3% iodine.....Needless to say, I pretty much told him where to get off and then I fired him. I called my regular cardiologist and told him what happened. He looked up the medication and told me in no uncertain terms to stay away from it and that he would refer me to another EP Doctor. Thank God someone listened to me. I even called my pharmacy this morning to make sure that I was correct in not taking it and they told me that they would not have filled it for me because they know my history and my medications and my allergies. So, to make a long story short, I get to wait for a new EP doctor and hope they decide to do something to take care of this. I am sooooo tired of not sleeping at night. These things wake me up out of a dead sleep and then last for hours....so needless to say, I am awake for most of the night. I am trying to work part time, but it is getting harder every day to make it through the afternoon. Between the stress of my job and these PVC's and PAC's and fast heartrate, I am a basket case. Thanks all for listening to me. My husband puts up with a lot here in regards to my health so I don't like to constantly complain to him. You guys are my lifeline!!! God Bless You All.....

diana

 

[Bina]

Diana, good thing that YOU were on the ball.....and It's pretty pathetic when an EP turns out to be a dud.
Hopefully you can try something safer like Sotalol. Best of luck!

 

[Kvntoday]

I am here to tell you that my EP doctor is a real moron...I called and left a message yesterday regarding my iodine allergy and he had the nerve to call me this morning and tell me to take the medication even though it has 37.3% iodine.....Needless to say, I pretty much told him where to get off and then I fired him. I called my regular cardiologist and told him what happened. He looked up the medication and told me in no uncertain terms to stay away from it and that he would refer me to another EP Doctor. Thank God someone listened to me. I even called my pharmacy this morning to make sure that I was correct in not taking it and they told me that they would not have filled it for me because they know my history and my medications and my allergies. So, to make a long story short, I get to wait for a new EP doctor and hope they decide to do something to take care of this. I am sooooo tired of not sleeping at night. These things wake me up out of a dead sleep and then last for hours....so needless to say, I am awake for most of the night. I am trying to work part time, but it is getting harder every day to make it through the afternoon. Between the stress of my job and these PVC's and PAC's and fast heartrate, I am a basket case. Thanks all for listening to me. My husband puts up with a lot here in regards to my health so I don't like to constantly complain to him. You guys are my lifeline!!! God Bless You All.....

diana

Hey Diana,
Stay cool, I have been through the same senario with a "Dick Head" EP who did not have a clue and all he wanted to do was give me Amioderon which I refused as it is a killer drug and as a result I sacked him.
Sleeping is a problem and if I do not sleep I take a 10mg Clonazepam and it gives me at least about 6 hours.

Take Care ....Kevin

 

[Taysgrama]

Saw a new EP today as well as my normal cardiologist. The EP doctor said that he recommends that I just learn to live with the PAC's and PVC's and that I do not take any medication to try and control them since the 3 I have been on have done nothing. He is not concerned with 100+ per day and said they are benign. He said that he would never have given me the Amiodarone since there are too many side effects and they are dangerous ones.

My cardio said that he would feel better if I took something to try and control them, but I think I will just try to learn to live with them. The one thing that both doctors told me was to watch for Arrhythmias that could be life threatening. The one thing they did not tell me was: What is an arrhythmia and how do I know if it is dangerous? Can anyone help me here?

On another note: Anyone have any suggestions in regards to dealing with an idiot boss who seems to think that just because someone he knew had double bypass surgery and was back to work in two months does not mean that I am going to be exactly the same? I have only been working 4 hours a day since I went back the end of July (surgery was May 16th) and I know that I cannot work full time because of the stress and these stupid PVC's and PAC's. I am exhausted after 4 hours of work and the 1/2 hour drive to and from work and the lack of sleep I get since these stupid things wake me up all night long. My doctor is writing a note to tell work that I am only released for a maximum of 4 hours a day, but I really don't think that my boss is going to accept that. He wants me full time or nothing, I think. HELP!!!!

diana (Ohio)
AVR and Tricuspid Repair - May 2008, Dayton Heart Hospital, Dr. John Miller, Surgeon (Terrific Guy)

 

[escargome]

Don't know anything about your PVC's and heartbeat, however inform your dim-bulb boss, that a bypass is just that, They by-pass the veins and arteries outside the heart. Your surgery required going into the heart, not to mention that everyone heals and recoups at a different rate. Get that note from your doctor. Sometimes employers are such dum-dums. Mine tried to force me back after 4 weeks but then those dim-wits had put me out from work as having a baby Geez, what part of aortic valve replacement didn't they understand. Good Luck and God Bless

 

[hensylee]

I saw the electrical Cardio yesterday and he pulled me off the one medication to try and control my heart rate (atenenol) and wants me to take a stronger one since that one did not work. Well, that medication is called Amiodarone and I am sooooo glad that I did not have it filled last night and start taking it without doing some background checks on it. According to everything I can find on it, you cannot take this medication if you are allergic to iodine (I am deathly allergic to any form of iodine), you cannot take it if you have thyroid problems (again, I am missing half mine and take medication for it), if you have liver problems (I do) and if you are on coumadin (with an artificial valve, of course I am). It also says to take the first few doses in a hospital envirnoment because there can be near fatal side effects.

I just left a message for him, but I cannot believe that he did not look at my chart to see that I am on Coumadin and that I am highly allergic to iodine. Any suggestions? Thanks again all!!

Diana (Franklin, Ohio)
AVR 5/2008 Dayton Heart Hospital

there is so much here in vr about amiodarone, and I doubt any of it even touches on reasons why you should not be on it. Please search vr (click above on search, type in 'amiodarone') and you will find all our old posts. Best wishes to you. But let us know what your uninformed dr says about it.

 

[Johnny Stephens]

It even has the scary "Red Box" warning on the NIH site: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a687009.html

I was on it for 30 days after my surgery due to some irregular heartbeats in CCU. I told my docs of my concerns and they agreed - they said they had debated it before putting me on it. No problems with side effects, but I'm glad I didn't take it any longer.

 

[kfay]

Diana, I can totally empathize with your struggles with rhythm issues. I have been dealing with ever increasing problems since August (my surgery was in April). I have always had some rhythm problems because they are part of my congenital heart condition, however, I had not had any real issues for years before my last surgery.

When I first started having all of these pac's and atrial tachycardias in August, my cardio put me on Toprol. It didn't help at all and I think it actually exacerbated the problem. He then sent me to a new EP guy who is very good. He currently has me on a calcium channel blocker which is helping, although not 100% yet. This new EP guy explained to me that beta blockers tend to help with rhythm issues that are induced with higher heart rates and that calcium channel blockers tend to help with rhythm problems that happen when the heart is having lower heart rates (for example, when you are sitting around in evening watching tv, or when you lie down to go to bed). There was a much more detailed, medical explanation, but that is what I took from the conversation (I have since found several medical papers on the internet supporting this view). He also said that while they are considered benign, he really considers them just a slightly lesser form of a-fib or a-flutter in someone who has my heart history. We are increasing my dose of calcium channel blocker this week to see if we can get more relief and if not, I need to decide if I am willing to go up the ladder, so to speak, to the anti-arrhythmics (excluding amiodarone of course).

I know that they are annoying as hell. It drives me crazy when they say things like "you are just more aware of your heart since surgery" or "just learn to live with them". I'd like them to have them for one week at the level some of us have them and I can guarantee you that they would not "learn to live with them". I feel very fortunate to have a Dr. willing to figure out a solution for me and I hope you find one soon as well.

By the way, an arrhythmia is just what you are describing, pac's, pvc's, a-fib, etc... Sometimes it is hard to know if it has slipped into something more dangerous, but, if you every feel like you are going to pass out or feel a continuos rapid heart beat, you need to get that checked out.

Kim

If you want a sympathetic ear, feel free to pm me, I'm happy to listen.

 

[TomD]

I took Amiodarone for about 3 months and then was taken off because my cardio said it's not good for long term and I had gone back into normal rhythm. However, I am very allergic to shell fish and did not have any problems.