Multaq Anyone Else Take It (Page 6)
(Newest replies first)

Okay I will start off by saying this drug scares me because it has not been out for very long. I have Afrial Fib which is not behaving I can be 70 beats one min and regular and the next I will be at 190 and in atrial fib and flutter. this is my last chance at a med I have tried all the others I usually end up in the ER two or three times a week. I have had one ablation so far. If anyone else takes it please let me know what it is like. I am starting it on Tuesday.

REPLY

REPORT

I'm a 50 yr old male. Was diagnosed with Afib in Sept. 2009. I'm very active, 5'10/250. I was a constant 235 before this all started. I was into Mtn biking, road bike riding plus working out. No family history of heart disease. They tried cardio version unsuccessfully. They put me on metoprolol, 100mg twice a day and amiodarone twice a day. After 7 months I was taken off the amiodarone and stayed with the metoprolol. The amiodarone converted me back to sinus rhythm. 15 months later I go in for an echocardiogram and am back in Afib. They then keep me on the metoprolol and put me on multaq. I'm told mutaq is better for my age. I take 400 mg twice a day and have no side effects. Been on the metoprolol and multaq since. Fast forward to fall 2013. I get a 2nd opinion. My new cardiologist definitely is different. Taking a proactive attitude as going in and out of Afib is not what I want for a quality of life. I think everyone should do their research and then choose what's best for them. I'm actually in the hospital as a write this recovering from my 1st ablation 12 hrs ago. Other than lying on your back forever, and getting a shave, where you just normally don't shave :) it was a very unobtrusive surgery. I was told they are keeping me on metoprolol and taking me off multaq, adding flecainide 50 mg twice a day and rivaroxaban, 20 mg once a day. I will be evaluated as my recovery goes. As everyone, I'm hoping this will be my one and only ablation. I do understand 30% of the time I could be one that needs another. The only thing that bothers me is being on these meds for the rest of my life. They have to take a lot out of our kidneys and liver filtering what we put in our bodies. I am young and my quality of life here on out is what I'm looking for.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

An ablation with the necessary follow up is going to run about $100,000.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Deb, my doctor wanted to put me on Pradaxa instead of the warfarin I am currently on. I read too many bad things about the Pradaxa and there had been some deaths from its use. A friend of mine that works at a hospital said that they had a patient that almost bled out on using this drug. They contacted the cardiologist and he told them he did not know how to control the INR rate. You can not go off of it like you can warfarin when you need surgery. My warfarin cost me .98 and I do not mind going to the clinic every four to six weeks to have my drug levels checked. but I am retired so I do not have to worry about missing work either.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

its been almost 4 months since my last afib. I dont suggest this but I saw on this blog about someone only taking 1/2 a multag 2xday. I have been doing this for 3 months now and have had no side effects like i used to, dizziness, tired, just not feeling well. told my doctor and he said i should go back to the full doze and if i feel sick again, to go back to the 1/2. Dont know if i should, I'm feeling fine.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Have chronic AFIB & have been on Multaq for 2 years now, & have not had any flutter or irregularities at all. Love it. Taking 2 / 400 mg tablets/day.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hello all it has been a long time when I was 49 I had a ejection fraction rate of 39 yesterday I went to the heart doctor had my echo and he has been able to bring me up to a EJ to 54 in a year. I am thrilled these are the meds I'm on Coreq, Pradaxa, BP pill, and a cholesterol pill. I had been started on Multaq be a previous doctor but had been taken off by new heart doctor I signed up with a year ago. I am 51 now.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Thanks Greg, should I be taking something for the dizziness? My first episode happened about 3 yrs ago, sadly to say, day after drinking too much at an occasion. Then, 2 yrs later I had another, and 2 weeks later another. This was just 2 months ago. It's been over a month now since last one and started on Multaq.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Becky, yes, you are right, you should do your own research. You can not depend on the doctor to do it for you and there are many that don't or won't bother doing it at all. Most have way too many patients every day to just worry about only one, it's kind of like an assembly line of patients and many problems are not caught. The more you know then the easier it is to communicate things to your doctor so they understand the problem better.

It sounds like the dizziness is the first sign of you going into an Afib episode, which is what it will do since your blood is not circulating properly because of the Afib. I remember when I first got Afib two years ago, when it started the dizziness was frightening and at times I thought I would pass out. I rarely have an episode now but when I do it's usually for 6 or 7 hours and I can still function fairly well but it does make me feel drained of energy. Fortunately the dizziness is not really noticeable any more or not there.

It's also possible it could be an interaction with something else you may be taking or using (but it still sounds more like the start of Afib episode effect from your description). There are many side effects or allergic reactions one particular person may have to a drug that others won't. Discuss it "thoroughly" with your doctor and please keep us updated on how you're doing.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Thanks Gary, it's just that I have read many times about people having to do their own research, Dr.'s really can't always know someones distinctive reactions to meds. I just don't like the dizzyness I feel. It will come and go. When I do get it, it starts my heart palpitating. Someone told me maybe I could just have anxiety. I think I will discuss that with my Dr. Who knows, that would be great if that was the case.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi beck, I've missed taking my second Multaq many times and there's never been a problem. As you can also see Wilson is having no problems taking half a pill twice a day.

We each have a different physical makeup so what one person experiences with a certain dosage may be different with someone else. Many times getting the right dosage for a person is all a matter of experimentation. If you do try going on a half dose of Multaq twice a day I would recommend that you let your doctor know what you're doing so if something occurs then the doc will know what's going on and what to do.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi Wilson, Sorry i didn't get back sooner. My AF started immediately after taking a synthroid .075mcg, drinking a glass of orange juice and biking quickyly to catchup to my spouse. The 2nd time it started because of stress and anger. It was 3 days long the second time. I was unable to get help for another 3 days. After Multaq 2 tablets a day I never had another AF event. My stomach and Bladder/kidneys did not like a full dose so i cut it in half (1/2 twice a day) and have had no further trouble barring two short events i caused by over exertion or forgetting the Multaq. I would quit the Synthroid but i get slow and listless without it.
A side benefit of the Multaq is my heart chambers are more fully synchronized (atrial and ventricular) which reduced the pooling of blood in my legs to almost nothing when i exercise. Unless something changes i will try to stay on the reduced dose of Multaq with my doctors consent.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

i have the same question, is it ok to only take half a multaq twice a day?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Thanks Gary. I'll keep checking this thread. It's like visiting old friends.

Good luck to you as well.

I've gotta find a good winter pool and exercise regimen. Working on that now.

As my doc said, "you might go afib free for months, maybe years - it may or may not come back - it can have a mind of its own no matter what you do"

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Trapper, that's fantastic news! Thanks for sharing that! I hope everything turns out well and you can stay off the Multaq and not have anymore events. It's always inspirational to hear these success stories, it gives everyone hope that they will be able to do the same someday soon. Keep us informed.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I take a half a tab twice a day for a year now. Only had 2short episodes since I started. I took full dose of 2 a day and gradually reduced. My 2episodes were caused by over exertion or forgetting to take the half. Full dose gave me trouble with kidneys and stomach. MY AFIB WAS NOT DIFFICULT TO CORRECT. Yours may be different. Good news is its better than when first introduced

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi Gary and all. Sorry i haven't been around much.

Well, I'm off the Multaq again as of late spring and feeling great.

By the end of the summer, I'm up to swimming 100 pool lengths in 2 sessions a day, and no afib at all.

I suspect my surprise afib re-occurrence in Jan was due to a "perfect storm" of factors related to inactivity over the winter following eye surgery, bad GERD, lack of vitamin D from no sun exposure, and several anti-inflammatory meds, a couple of drinks for the first time in 2 1/2 years and a couple of other things all at the same time. I'll be modifying all that this winter to hopefully quell a re-occurrence.

I'll keep you posted. Good luck to all who tolerate Multaq well.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Gary you are so right about taking Multaq with food in your stomach. I found out the hard way by skipping breakfast one morning. My gut started hurting and had a burning sensation . This lasted for several hours. So I never skip a meal now.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Does your dr. want to eventually take you off the multaq? I have had four ablations and my doctor wants to take me off of the multaq and I'm afraid I will go back into afib/flutter when I do. Has anyone had ablations with multaq then be weaned off of the multaq?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Sally I take 100 mg of metoprolol morning and evening and the Multaq twice a day. You are right, Multaq was a blessing for me. Before I was on the Multaq, I was having A fib every weekend with elevated BP and would have to go to ER for conversion. I hated that feeling of your heart beating out of your chest. Now the only way I know I am having a episode is that I get short of breath without any physical exertion. I check on my BP machine and it shows I am in A Fib. When I have these episodes, I found out that I would get very anxious or agitated. My family dr. Prescribed Lorazepam. I will take one when having A fib episode and lie down for a while listening to meditation tapes on my iPod. It really does help.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Elly,

There are a lot of different Beta Blockers for numerous purposes. You "must" always research on your own what any doctor tells you about meds before taking them. Many doctors just don't do their homework on meds, it's your responsibility since it's your body, not theirs. My Afib was caused by a doctor 2 years ago, he gave me an injection (while I was under right before an MRI, my heart went nuts as soon as I was injected) that was "not" supposed to be given to me because of another med I was on for something else. He had my meds history but never bothered to check for possible interactions with the two meds, he just gave me the same thing he normally gave to every other patient. When I looked up what he gave me it plainly said it should NOT be given to anyone taking what I was taking, it would cause rapid heartbeat and/or Afib. Thanks doc. I didn't sue him but I'm still contemplating it. Others here and myself on here have said countless times, you must do your own research on everything, trust no one!


"Atenolol" is used for a number of conditions including: hypertension (mainly), angina, acute myocardial infarction, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, and the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

*slow or uneven heartbeats;
*feeling light-headed, fainting;
*feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
*swelling of your ankles or feet;
*nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
*depression, nightmares; or
*cold feeling in your hands and feet.


More serious side effects include:

*hallucinations
*low blood pressure (hypotension)
*skin reactions, e.g. rash, hives, flaking of skin, worsening of psoriasis
*sensation of 'pins and needles' hands or feet
*irritated eyes, visual disturbances
*difficulty hearing
*difficulty speaking
*unsteadiness when walking


Less serious side effects may include:

*decreased libido, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm;
sleep problems (insomnia);
*tired feeling; or
*anxiety, nervousness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
=========================================

Wilson,

There is no clinical evidence or reported incidents of Multaq causing panic attacks. I'm extremely familiar with panic attacks (when I had clinical depression many years ago) and taking Multaq has not caused anything, not even a hint of anxiety.
==============================

Note: You must eat a meal (or at least some food) before taking Multaq. Multaq runs through your system very quickly and will not work if taken on an empty stomach.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

How long does it take Multaq to get into your system and actually work? I started taking it this morning and it has been...

2 REPLIES

I just started taking Multaq and was told to stop taking Ranexa why? What happens when you take both ? The Ranexa was wo...

2 REPLIES

I was diagnozed in Feb with a-fib. Started taking Multaq at that time. So far I have refused Coumadin. Have had some min...

4 REPLIES

Can 1,000 MG of acetaminophen cause elevated pulse rate while patient is taking 400 MG of Multaq twice daily? ## Multaq ...

2 REPLIES

Atere 3 months of Multaq, I began to run dangerously high potassium levels, not low! Any other similar experiences? ## I...

3 REPLIES

Does the tiredness go away after being on Multaq awhile or does the tiredness continue? ## Multaq made me tired for abou...

19 REPLIES

I have been taking Multaq for almost 5 months. Yes it helps, maybe to much, I am exhausted it keeps me so low and irregu...

19 REPLIES

Are there any coupons available for Multaq tablets? I've just been prescribed this drug, which is very expensive. Th...

17 REPLIES

Has anyone else experienced notably increased shortness of breath attributed to Multaq? ## Multaq contains the active in...

10 REPLIES

I was started on Multaq after ablation got my heart to beat normally. I has previously been in Afib 62% of every day. Th...

7 REPLIES