Worried about side effects of heart meds

DEAR DOCTOR: My doctor wants me to take amiodarone for my heart. But the potential side effects scare the heck out of me: possible death, permanent blindness, liver problems, thyroid problems. My doctor says my fears are unwarranted.

DEAR READER:

Amiodarone has been used for many years to help control the heart from going into abnormal rhythms and, unlike other medications used to maintain normal heart rhythm, amiodarone is less likely to cause abnormal heart rhythms, meaning that it is less likely to lead to sudden cardiac death. Because of this, amiodarone is the most commonly prescribed anti-arrhythmic medication.

But don’t discount possible side effects. Amiodarone can be toxic to the lungs, causing an inflammatory reaction that leads to cough, shortness of breath, weight loss and chest pain.

Amiodarone also can affect the thyroid, causing low or high thyroid levels in the blood. You should have

your thyroid levels checked before starting amiodarone and every six months after.

The drug also can cause nerve dysfunction in the eye, leading to blindness, though this is rare. Amiodarone can also affect other nerves of the body, leading to tremors, loss of sensation and loss of bodily control. This happens much less frequently at lower doses. Further, the drug can elevate blood tests for liver enzymes, with some people developing significant liver inflammation. So monitor your liver function every six months, too. A host of minor side effects include nausea, skin reactions and urinary difficulties.

I’m not certain what type of heart condition you have or why your doctor recommends amiodarone specifically. But it is indeed a good medication for preventing abnormal heart rhythms. Just be sure you’re monitored closely for lung toxicity, thyroid abnormalities and liver inflammation.