Is it possible to adjust medications for stent patients?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 49-year-old male. Five years ago, I had two stents placed in the left coronary artery. My heart was actually in good condition, with only a 30 percent blockage. I have been taking Ezetimibe and Aspirin since then. I started experiencing arrhythmia two years ago, and atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs about once every one and a half months, lasting for two to four hours. When AF occurs, I can not stand up and feel dizzy, as if I am going to faint. At that time, I only took medication for a month.

Three and a half months ago, I started taking Amiodarone 200 mg and Rivaroxaban 15 mg. Since then, AF has not returned. I stopped Rivaroxaban one month ago. Can I reduce the dose of Amiodarone to half or take it every two days? Two weeks ago, I suddenly experienced intense itching and swelling all over my body for two hours, but it went away on its own.

Please advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have reviewed your health query and understand your concerns about your heart health. I would not recommend stopping Rivaroxaban or Amiodarone as these are essential medications that you need. For stent patients, Rivaroxaban helps reduce the risk of strokes, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, and clots that can form around the stent. It acts as a blood thinner, preventing excessive clotting and ensuring smooth blood flow through the veins and arteries.

Amiodarone, on the other hand, protects you from heart rhythm issues like atrial fibrillation (AF). Given that you have not experienced arrhythmias while taking this medication, there does not appear to be a need to adjust the dosage. However, if your cardiologist finds a reason to reduce the dose after a physical examination, that would be a different matter. My final suggestion is to consult your doctor before making any changes to your medications.

I hope this helps.