other available drugs for atrial fibrillaltion?

By carol carter from Camden, TN on June 17, 2006
Category: Pacerone (Oral)

I have read much about the serious side effects of Pacerone and that the FDA has only approved it for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Yet, I have been treated by two cardiologist for atrial fibrillation episodes with Pacerone and am currently taking 200mg daily. The first cardiologist took me off the medicince after a year & half because I had not had any more atrial fib episodes. Then about a year later the episodes began again. I went to another cardiologist who diagnosed atrial fibrillation and put me back on Pacerone. I became concerned when his nurse practictioner brought me back in for chest xrays and blood work (the first cardiologist did not do this). I questioned the NP and he said that Pacerone could cause serious lung problems. I was aware of liver and thyroid side effects but not lung. So I have been reading a lot of information. Now I am concerned as to why I'm receiving this medicine for atrial fib when it is FDA approved for ventricular fib. When I questioned the cardiologist about the safety of this drug before knowing the above he told me I had 3 options - Pacerone, Coumadin or stroke. I have not been able to find any information on what other drug choices there are for treatment of atrial fibrillation episodes but I feel there must be other safer drugs for atrial fib. Can you please provide information concerning this?

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