Side affects got to be unbearable Extreme fatigue dizziness weight loss
78 year old female. A-fib but not too bad. Doctor put me on Multaq 400mg twice a day and I have been on it a little more than a year. It completely stops my A-fib. BUT if I do not take it WITH food (and I do not mean one hour later) then I throw up several times (an hour or so later) and have severe diarrhea. I also have shortness of breath and fatique. No swelling but my appetite is good. If I forget to take it with a meal then I do not take it at all. I skip the dose. I am tired of staying up half the night sitting on the toilet with a waste can in front of me. Very expensive drug.
Seems to prevent afib episodes as well or better than Flecanide; more side effects; particularly irritable bowel/constipation; frequent stools and persistent intermittent nausea that was present during first two weeks; than went away and came back in month 6 along with joint and muscle issues and mild fatigue....taking half dose twice a day with meals plus small dose of Cardizem at night...all in all a bit of a challenge to take due to side effects; but intended effect is good and I will stay on it and live with side effects as long as it prevents afib...blood tests are normal so far after 6 months of use.
By day 3 I had diarrhea, light flutters, felt worn out and like I was in a fog. No energy. Also you have to take with food and I wasn't told this.
Paroxysmal AF since 1970's, took beta blockers, Metoporol. Last year went into Afib and didn't stop, had to get the jolt. Cardiologist put me on Multaq, controlled the AFib, no episodes while on it. Had an ablation in Oct. 2021, stopped Multaq after 12 weeks as per protocol. Started having AFib again, ablation was a bust. I wanted off Multaq because of the side effects, had a dry cough, wheezing sometimes, slight rash and itching and some gastric distress, classic allergic reaction. It was very effective at controlling my AFib. Now I'm back on a cocktail of drugs trying stop the AFib episodes, and needless to say very discouraged.
After taking Rythmol for years for Afib the Doctor stopped it because it was no longer effective. Instead I tried Multaq. But it did not help. In fact my fatigue, shortness of breath and ankle swelling got worse. Even with Cardioversion my heart is still in Afib. Since have already tried most of the rythym control drugs, I may have to consider ablation though I am hesitant to do so.
Been on Multaq for 1 year. I have not had a recurrence of a-fib so it has worked. You have to eat a meal when you take this drug, so that is an inconvenience & makes it harder to take.
Has been effective in preventing intermittent A-Fib and tachycardia due to atrial flutter when taken in combination with a low dose of Metroprolol. Replaces Flecanaide/Metoprolol which quit working after about a year. I have had to cut statin dose in half, don't know how that will affect serum cholesterol. Only side effect has been a metallic taste in mouth between meals.
Had side effects in the beginning now hardly notice. Does increase hunger pangs. Have to watch or will gain weight. But do not know what I will do when my money runs out very, very, very expensive.
I have had afib for 5 yrs- was on amiodarone which worked but was always worried about possible side effects, so was switched to Multaq about 2 yrs ago. It's worked well with just a couple breakthrough afib episodes. However, I am now having a lot of vision problems and I'm wondering if they might be related to Multaq and/or Amiodarone.
No drug is perfect but this drug gave me my life back. I have a mechanical heart valve and also have AFIB. Prior to having an ablation and taking this drug I had lost quality of life. Although I often have fatigue I am still able to work, exercise and live my life.
Had two ablations, first one was not effective, never really worked. The second worked only after being put on Multaq. As far as I know, I've been ablation free for over three years. Wish I could stop taking Multaq as it is too expensive, however it's keeping me out of AFIB. Because of that I requested to be taken off of blood thinners and was able to do so. Also, I have never had any side effects. This drug has been wonderful.
placed on for 90 days and had to be cardioverted x2. Tried exercising and put me back into afib. Terrible diarrhea! twice day dosing and 5 dollars a pill! Too expensive for my taste
I've been on multaq, 2x/day, for about 8 months to treat paroxysmal afib..so far not one afib episode that I'm aware of..only side effect is occasional metallic taste in my mouth..I will be going on medicare part D this year so checking formulary for this expensive drug will be priority..
My Electrophysiologists prescribed this after a mini maze, 4 cardioversions, and an abliation did not keep in rhythm. At first it made me very nauseas (could not even stand smell of food) That lasted 4 days. Hope this works for me. Not much else left. When I go into afib I end up in CHF.
Took 3 days as directed with meals. Had every symptom, but rash. Simular to stomac flu. Bloating, distrnded, gassy. Ran to toilet 24/7 from both ends. Weak and dehydrated. Sadly, i think it kept me in rythum. Had to stop or die
Have experienced diarrhea daily - sometimes severe - and am exhausted most of the time. Am a tennis player, but have had to quit because of shortness of breath and fatigue. Have also gained about 15 pounds in 5 months. Does not seem to be making a difference in a-fib episodes, which occur sporadically. So will try ablation.
I have den on it for almost a year and had no side effects. would preferred it to be in capsule
I've been taking Multaq 400 mg twice a day along with aspirin for my Afib, for almost a year. At first it was hard on my stomach, but after a few days it was easier. Since I am on this medication, I don't feel the dizziness, shortness of breath, tachycardia like before the medication.
Had AFIB one time. Ended up in emergency room and then hospital. They put me on Multaq and Xarelto. That was more than three years ago, and I have had no more AFib. Strong circumstantial evidence that it works!