Beta blockers vs. Amiodarone vs. Tikosyn

[Guest guest]

I'm just curious. Was this an ER doctor, your general physician, a

general cardiologist, electrophysiologist or what? It seems that right

now the drug of choice (disregarding costs) in this group and also

looking at recommended protocols is dofetilide (Tikosyn). That drug,

however, can only be administered by certain doctors and in association

with certain hospitals. Read the comment on the web page

http://www.tikosyn.com/

Front and center. (TIKOSYN is available only to prescribers and

hospitals who have

received a designated TIKOSYN education program.)

That would mean that an ER doc or an on call ER cardiologist cannot help

you with it. If you are in the ER, they want to help you get out

immediately and I can respect that. But by its very nature, you are not

going to get dofetilide. They probably do not have that option

available. Same with your regular doctor or even your regular

cardiologist. In order for you to get a crack at dofetilide, he/she has

to pass you along to someone else, an EP on the program. So if you want

to try it and you have the means to pursue it (cooperative health

insurance to go to an EP and/or prescription drug plan/cash), get stable

in the ER, go see your doc and get a referral to an EP that is in the

Tikosyn system. If you get started on Amiodarone it will be hard to

transition over because it will stay with you a while.

Bobby

Re: Let's talk about beta blockers

Mandy

I just was discussing to evils of Amiodarone. I too was put on it and

never

told about its reputation.

The Dr. first gave me a bata blocker in the hospital, I could not

tolerate it

and the he put me on Amiodarone. Never suggested anything. Sheila