Amiodarone

Hi everyone

Just thought I would check in with you guys as I have been having some visual problems which I now attribute to Amiodarone medication I am taking. I have researched this drug and it really has some horror stories which have persuaded me to stop the tablet and take my chances that I will get some abnormally fast heart rhythms in the future although by the look of it the medication stays in your system for months! Did any of you start off on this tablet. I know the Docs have reduced it but I am concerned that it would be just another medication that I will get left on. The visual problems are only getting worse and I actually lose the sight in my right eye totally for a couple of minutes which you can see is a bit disconcerting and quite scary. Any information would be greatfully received.

Regards

Elaine

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Comment by David W Loder on August 17, 2011 at 5:11: Hello, Elaine...

I'm now a 6 yr survivor this very day - August 16. At first Amiodarone was prescribed for arrhythmia which I took for some time. A year or so later, while having my ocular exam for glasses, the OD noticed slight corneal opacity. She kindly asked, "are you on Amiodarone?" which seemed surprisingly perceptive on her part, as she was quite young. After answering "yes" she said I had the beginning of corneal damage, and I immediately stopped taking it.

My cardiologist having been told, he then switched to a brand new drug: "Dronedarone" just out. After about 2 years, I'm not having any vision problems, as I have exceptional vision for a 69 yr old male. I just need to keep the eye healthy, and she also said "I Caps", with lutein and zeaxanthine would help. I'm now seeing better than ever before, and swear by her diagnosis, as well as my cardiologist's.

Don't know if Dronedarone is available under that name in UK although it is also known by a generic name.

Ask your MD. Hope this helps.

Dave Loder

Comment by Elaine Howlin on August 1, 2011 at 16:20: Hi Jim

Thanks for that. I took myself off the drug a couple of weeks ago and I told the Doctors today at my 3 month check and his response was 'good for you' I have not had any further arrythmias so hopefully I won't need to take it again.

Regards

Elaine

Comment by Jim Sanquedolce on August 1, 2011 at 3:55: Elaine I was put on the drug, post ascending aortic dissection to treat some abnormal post surgury arrythmias. and typically this is what the drug is used for here,,I searched and found a wikipedia post which are genrally good, Informative, but brief... =xp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amiodarone

Comment by Alison Roberts-Pagent on July 21, 2011 at 21:29: Hi Elaine,

Similar side effects on Labetalol and Losartan - feels more like going totally crosseyed for a few minutes.

A very common side effect from what I can gather of many of theses drugs.

Speak to your Drs, they need to know.

All the best

Allie

Comment by Gary Davis on July 20, 2011 at 11:11: Sorry Elaine, just read your blog. It seems the same set of events as myself, so I would guess that Consultant will stop these, especially after you tell him of the side effects you have.

Cheers

Gary

Comment by Gary Davis on July 20, 2011 at 11:05: Hi Elaine

I was on Amiodarone after I had an AF event in Hospital when recovering from arch repair last October. After release my GP was quite keen to get me off the drug, he was concerned about the effects on the Thyroid. When I had my 3 month post op check up with Cardio consultant he took me off Amiodarone as matter of course, advising that once your heart is over the operative shock then you need to stop the Amiodarone. Why were you prescribed the Amiodarone, an AF event or an ongoing heart issue?

Cheers

Gary

Comment by Elaine Howlin on July 16, 2011 at 19:56: I have read quite a lot on the drug with different opinions but I am afraid of affecting my eyesight which it seems would be permanent according to the research. It causes deposits at the back of the eye. My doctor thinks that the cardio consultant will stop it anyway when I go to see him on the 1st August but it may have caused the damage by then,

Thanks for the advice

Regards

Elaine

Comment by Kimberlee Jones on July 16, 2011 at 15:08: I've never been on it...google it though and read through what you can find. Read more than one source or more than one article so you get both sides of the information.

*hugs*

Kimberlee