Sotalol to Dofetilide (Tykosin) - seek personal views.

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

I am considering switching from Sotalol to Dofetilide because of the

circumstances described below, and seek the opinion of those who have

relevant experience.

Suffering from AF for over 10 years. In November 2004 underwent

extensive ablation of left atria. The procedure on the whole was not

successful. Went back to Sotalol. In recent months upped daily dosage

from 160 mg to 240 mg. At first the results were OK, and in recent weeks

there is a deterioration.

Have tried all the best sellers (Flecainide and Rythmox- not effective;

amiodarone - effective but severe side effects). Have not yet tried

Dofetilide.

The questions are:

What are the chances of Dofetilide proving nore effective than sotalol?

In general are the side effects of dofetilide similar of those of

sotalol or different? In what way?

Many thanks for your time,

Joe Y.

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[Guest guest]

Joe - its impossible to tell whether dofetilide will be more effective until

you're on it, unfortunately. For some it does work and for some it does.

It kept me absolutely symptom free for 15 months straight, and the lost

effectivness rather quickly. I know Ellen has been on it for 5 years now with

excellent luck. I think she still has an event here and there (Ellen?) But I

think they are few and far between.

What I can tell you is that I had abslutely zero side effects from dofetilide.

Most people don't.

I'm now on Rhythmol (for 3 weeks) and have already had two afib events requiring

ER visits. It already seems less effective than the dofetilide. I'm scheduled

for my first PVI on the 23rd.

Dofetilide is certainly worth a try if you qualify. Its one of the newest

antiarrythmics and is known for few to no side effects. You do have too start

it in the hospital..please don't do otherwise.

Sotalol to Dofetilide (Tykosin) - seek personal views.

Dear All,

I am considering switching from Sotalol to Dofetilide because of the

circumstances described below, and seek the opinion of those who have

relevant experience.

Suffering from AF for over 10 years. In November 2004 underwent

extensive ablation of left atria. The procedure on the whole was not

successful. Went back to Sotalol. In recent months upped daily dosage

from 160 mg to 240 mg. At first the results were OK, and in recent weeks

there is a deterioration.

Have tried all the best sellers (Flecainide and Rythmox- not effective;

amiodarone - effective but severe side effects). Have not yet tried

Dofetilide.

The questions are:

What are the chances of Dofetilide proving nore effective than sotalol?

In general are the side effects of dofetilide similar of those of

sotalol or different? In what way?

Many thanks for your time,

Joe Y.

______________________________________________________________________

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______________________________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

>

>

> Dear All,

>

> I am considering switching from Sotalol to Dofetilide because of

the

> circumstances described below, and seek the opinion of those who

have

> relevant experience.

Joe,

Since you ask for personal views, I will share that I did well

on Sotalol (Betapace), but the Dofetilide (Tikosyn) hasn't helped at

all since I began it last May. From my own experience, I would

suggest you up the Sotalol to a higher dose (I was told the max is

320 per day) before trying the Dofetilide. You may find that you

have a few good years at that dose. I am still on 500 mcgs of

Tikosyn twice a day, which I think is the highest dose, but am having

a-fib virtually every day for several hours. I am scheduled for a

PVI in March.

You will find others who have done well on the Dofetilide, but

since you have had success with the Sotalol, I think you might want

to see if a higher dose before risking changing to a drug that has

been so ineffective with me.

Sharon