Mother Is 94. Taking Eliquis 5 Mg. And Nifedipine , 90 Ardiologist And Amiodarone Yesterday Doctor Put Her On 50 Mg Metoprolol Daily. Doctor, Do You Think That Is A Good Treatment For Atrial Fib??? What Else To Prevents ?

Posted on Mon, 23 Jan 2023

Question: Mother is 94. Taking Eliquis 5 mg...and Nifedipine, 90 mg ...., losartin 25 mg........and has been having increased atrial fibrillation episodes. She has had a fib for 8 years ... not constantly but on occasions....has been taking Amiodarone but it caused tremors and weakness and tired, so they took her off Amiodarone ... The cardiologist yesterday put her on 50 mg metoprolol daily. Doctor, do you think that is a good treatment for atrial fib??? What else prevents afib???

Answered by Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes this is the best treatment

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Beta blocker (Metoprolol) are very important and effective drug in preventing all arrhythmias including AFib. For already present AF it keeps the heart rate under control.
So this is currently the best and most effective treatment for her.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (25 hours later)

As a follow up—- 1..Dr are there certain things that can trigger a fib?? My mom , occasionally,seems to trigger it when she has a really hot bath and then dry her hair!
2) her metoprolol is in 25 mg tabs. Is it ok to take25 mg in the morning and 25 in eve....
Thanks!!!!!

Answered by Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (24 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes it is right

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Sorry to be late.
A Fib can be because of lot of cardiac and non cardiac causes.
Dilated chamber of the heart, weak heart, valve abnormalities can be the cardiac cause.Electrolyte abnormalities are other causes for it. Beta blocker, cordarone are drugs which helps in preventing episodes of AF. Dose depends on patient tolerance and bp.
We generally start with 25mg once a day and can give it to a maximum of 200mg.
So it's ok to start with 25mg twice daily. I hope your cardiologist will gradually increase the dose.
Thanks.

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T