My wife has been on Tikosyn for about 2 years. It has work well without any side affects. The only problem we have had and is is not really a problem is getting the drug. Tikosyn is a restricted use drug meaning only an EP can prescribe it. Drug stores have to take classes to dispense it so many don't carry it. We order hers through her mail order pharmacy. Tikosyn does interact with some drugs so follow the directions carefully. She is scheduled for an ablation the end of June because she does not want to take the Drugs anymore.

Thanks for the quick reply. It's encouraging that she had no side effects. It's freaking me out that I have to go into the hospital to get on it. For some reason it scares me more than having the ablation. My Dr. is at Johns Hopkins and that's the hospital I'll be going to . They have their own pharmacy so I should be able to get it without a problem.

Shantima, the reason for going into the hospital is Tikosyn can cause Vfib. 2 hours after you take a dose they will run an EKG to see how the med is working. The normal dose is 500 mg. The Dr reduced my wife dose after her third dose to 250mg for some reason. She has been on Tikosyn for two years. Sotalol did not work in fact slowed her HR to under 40. You should not have a problem getting Tikosyn where you live. We live in Mississippi and don't have an EP within 80 miles of us.

Thanks again for your quick reply, I appreciate it very much.

Hi, I say ablation for atrial flutter. It's pretty easy to cure that way, and I didn't have any luck with Tykosin. My EKG's are crazy. Most of the time they come out just atrial flutter, and once in a great while a little bit of A-Fib, so I'm hoping the next ablation gets rid of the A-Flutter. They say with ablation it's easy to cure. I didn't do well on any of tha arrthymics, but other people have. I've never heard of Tikosyn used for conversion though.

Hi shantima! You have been thru so much already, I hope the Tikosyn works for you!! I've been on Tikosyn since last Nov. It didn't stop my a fib, but it's very well tolerated. The only thing I got was a headache that went to the back of my head when I first started it. It gradually got better. I'm still on it because after the ablation, they wanted me to stay on it. Remember, other than difficulty getting the drug, you have to take it EVERY 12 HOURS as exactly as you can. Set your cell phone to remind you. You can't take it plus or minus 1 hour. It interferes with a lot of drugs, like antidepressants, Zofran for nausea, lots and lots. You need to look it up and familiarize yourself. Lots of PCP's don't know what it interacts with so you have to be proactive for yourself.
GOing into the hospital for the Tikosyn load is not scary. It's just very boring and they keep waking you up to do things. I had the EKG at about midnight and then they woke me up at 3A for bloodwork. So I didn't get much sleep. You have an EKG 2 hours after each dose. Bring stuff to do while you are there or you will be so bored!! I brought a mini DVD player and watched lots of DVD's. Good luck!! Hope it works for your!!I wouldn't take ami, too toxic for long term. I also thought cardizem was on the list you can't take with Tikosyn, but i may be wrong. Double check that please.
I looked it up and found this:
Your prescriber should be aware of the potential for diltiazem to increase the blood levels of Tikosyn, which could result in arryhthmia and cardiac arrest.
The dose of Tikosyn may need to be reduced.

Heart, thanks so much. Yes I read that also about the ditiazem. I'll call him tomorrow and ask about it. I feel horrible with this A flutter continuously. I can barely walk without being sob and dizzy.. Much worse than the af. I'm looking forward to something working.

shantima,

I did hear that ablation for atrial flutter has VERY high success rates. Hope you get the treatment you need. You certainly don't want to stay feeling like you are.

Shamtina, Heart2222 is right get ready to be bored. There is also another drug that is really bad with Tikosyn. It is Ketoconazole it is an anti-fungal. It is used in some shampoos. This was the one that the EP was really concerned about because apparently it raises the blood levels of Tikosyn. EP told us to google "Drugs that interact with Tikosyn". Then if there was any doubt to call him before taking any drug. We had to watch a video on how to take Tikosyn before we could leave the hospital. I am sure you will have to do the same. Good Luck.

Thanks everyone for all the good comments. It's encouraging. I did look up all the meds counterindicated and printed them out, but I will probably do as you said and call my Dr. before I take anything new.