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Q. My husband was taking amiodarone for a heart rhythm problem. He developed pulmonary fibrosis as a side effect and died last November. I just can’t understand why this dangerous drug is still on the market.
A. We are so sorry to learn of your loss. Amiodarone (also available under the brand names Cordarone and Pacerone) is used to treat heart rhythm disturbances that don’t respond to other medications. A “black-box” warning in the prescribing information tells doctors: “Amiodarone hydrochloride is intended for use only in patients with the indicated life-threatening arrhythmias because its use is accompanied by substantial toxicity.” The most important of these is pulmonary (lung) toxicity, but it can also have negative effects on the liver and the thyroid.
The warning continues, “amiodarone poses major management problems that could be life-threatening in a population at risk of sudden death, so that every effort should be made to utilize alternative agents first.”
We recommend that anyone who receives a prescription for amiodarone discuss the benefit/risk ratio of this drug with the doctor in detail, so that it is used only when appropriate.
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I am very sorry to hear about this story. I am sure there are so many more which are not discovered or told - and not just about this medication - but others.
I have nothing to do with health or pharmaceutical business. Just an ordinary lady living far away from the U.S. (Sweden).
I have seen side effects in people close to me (not from this medication) and that forced me to look for information.
It would be interesting to know which medications can cause heart rhythm problems?!
Please write about drug-induced diseases in general.
I have successfully treated my tachycardia (rapid heart rate) with potassium and CoQ10 supplements.
I suspect this works by balancing the electrical charge in the sodium-potassium pump of the cells.
I also try to avoid excitogens (MSG, chemicals, excess salt, etc.) as well as shocks to my nervous system, both of which I believe precipitate the rapid heart beating.
Wonder how long you'd have to take amiodarone before you'd get the lung problem. Husband took that drug for a while after heart surgery until they physically restarted his heart to achieve rhythm. He has severe copd and fibrosis now, 8 years later. Could there be any relation? Thanks for all your interesting topics. Have tried several of them.
I was prescribed amiodorone for 4 years, before and after pacemaker placement. The only other drug that was used for my A-fib was fleconiade. On amiodorone I had severe numbness and tingling in both lower extremities and left arm, and twice was told I had a TIA, however symptoms continued and became worse, including tremor and balance issues.
I was referred to a neurologist who treated me for a year and a half and never questioned the drug, nor did any other doctor. Finally, I said I would like to discontinue it, and because I was on coumadin I was allowed to do so. Because of the long half life it took about 2 1/2 months for the symptoms to go away, but they did and I am symptom free. I will not take the drug again no matter what. I know people also turn blue, called Smurf Syndrome!!!!
My Father developed pulmonary fibrosis immediately following voluntary robotic bypass surgery, he died 5 weeks later. He had been taking Amiodarone for 5 months and stopped one week before his surgery. I guess the doctors were unaware of how long it stays in your system. The prescribing doctor did not try any other medicines prior to putting him on Amiordarone and a electrophysiologist was never consulted.
My husband was on amiodrone for years after bypass. He was hospitalized for copd. 2 Doctors were talking about amiodrone one said stop the other disagreed. They continued the amiodrone. Last year he was hospitalized 2 months with heart arrhythmia, congestive heart failure,& copd. He was failing, so I questioned all the medications and looked them up on line.
I then told Doctors how these medications were doing more harm than good and told them to take him off 5 that I believed were not helping. A few were very dangerous for his age 80 yrs. My primary Dr. sat with me to go over meds for him to take at home. No amiodrone. He has been home over a year, his heart is weak but he is doing well. I have no medical background but can understand what I read, and have been with my husband 52 years.
My husband died from amiodarone toxiciy march 2009. He developed pulmonary fibrosis and died a horrible death mostly on a respirator. 10 weeks in ICU. It was a terrible deterioration of a human being. We never heard of amiodarone toxicity. He was on this drug for 5 yrs. We were told he should have been having a lung functioning test every 6 months, he had 2 in 5 yrs. I have been on a web site (clinical cases and images-amiodarone induced toxicity) where there are more than 50 people commenting on their terrible experiences, the doctors have to make patients aware of these terrible side effects.
This medication needs to have a special warning tag on it. This has to get out to public awareness. Look on the web site and see the heartache I and so many people are going through.
In the 3rd entry above Bill B. mentions taking potassium with CoQ10 to cure his rapid heart rate.
This brings up a question about using CoQ10.
Several years ago I began taking CoQ10 in an effort to relieve premature contractions. However, in my case the arrhythmia seemed to become more severe and I discontinued intake of the supplement. Earlier this year I was prescribed a low dose of Lovastatin for elevated cholesterol. I subsequently read that CoQ10 was an antidote for muscle pain which can be a consequence of Statins. I started taking CoQ10 again and within a few days had to go to the Emergency Room to get electric shock for treatment of severe atrial fibrilation. I stopped taking CoQ10 immediately and have had no more problems.
I wonder now if it was the CoQ10 that might have set off the atrial fibrilation, and would appreciate any input on the matter.
Fred
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: WE ARE PUZZLED WHY YOUR HEART WOULD RESPOND LIKE THIS TO A SUPPLEMENT THAT IS USUALLY REPUTED TO QUELL FIBRILLATION. IT IS A REMINDER THAT WE ARE ALL MEDICALLY DISTINCT.
I have also had rapid on & off heart beats when taking Coq10. Whenever I use it my symptoms get worse like my heart is going to jump out of my chest at times. When I don't take it I feel fine. What gives? I don't take it anymore because I'm afraid I'll have a heart attack or stroke.
My dad recently died after going into the hospital for pneumonia. It was discovered he had lung disease from taking the drug Amiodarone. He was on a respirator for a few weeks, but never pulled through. My mother says they were never warned about this drug nor were they advised to have his lungs check periodically. He was such a healthy man before this. Does the FDA keep track of deaths resulting from taking this drug? Have there been any lawsuits from people who have died taking this drug?
I took amiodarone after minimally invasive heart surgery (valve replacement). After surgery my heart went into fibrillation. I had a pacemaker put in and was given amiodarone "to make my heart beat more regularly." It sounded so harmless, I didn't bother to look up the side effects. Bad mistake!
After coming home from the hospital a terrible rash broke out on my upper body, I had very loose bowels alternating with constipation, and got so short of breath I could hardly walk across the room. I tried to talk to my cardiologist and my primary care Drs about possible side effects of medication, and they both poo-pooed me.
But finally, after 4 months, I looked up the side effects and was absolutely horrified. There were even warnings about not giving amiodarone to the elderly (I'm 78). I can't BELIEVE how brainwashed our doctors are by the drug reps who are always in and out of their offices, and the pharmacy companies that provide their "inservice training" and give out goodies and free samples. I'm ready to stop all prescription meds if I can, and I bought a blood pressure machine to check my own blood pressure and heart rate. I don't trust doctors any more!!
On the facebook group named "Stop Amiodarone" there are instances of Amiodarone toxicity death within days after it was introduced. Pulmonary Fibrosis is ALWAYS fatal, it can be days, months or 10 years as it was with my wife.