FAQs A-Fib Treatments: Medicines and Drug Therapies

Drug Therapies for Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial Fibrillation patients often search for unbiased information and guidance about medicines and drug therapy treatments. These are answers to the most frequently asked questions by patients and their families. (Click on the question to jump to the answer.)

1. “I have a heart condition. Which medications are best to control my Atrial Fibrillation?” What medications work best for me?“

2. HRT: “Do you have information about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and if it might help or hinder my atrial fibrillation?”

3. Rate Control Drug: “I take atenolol, a beta-blocker. Will it stop my A-Fib.”

4. Antibiotics: “Which antibiotics are less liable to cause an A-Fib attack? How is Clindamycin for dental work? In the past I reacted to Azithromycin and Advil.”

Antiarrhythmic Drugs

1. “Is the “Pill-In-The-Pocket” treatment a cure for A-Fib? When should it be used?” (“Pill-In-The-Pocket” makes use of an antiarrhythmic drug such as flecainide)

2. “I’ve been on amiodarone for over a year. It works for me and keeps me out of A-Fib. But I’m worried about the toxic side effects. What should I do?”

3. “Is the antiarrhythmic drug Multaq [dronedarone] safer than taking amiodarone? How does it compare to other antiarrhythmic drugs?”

4. “My doctor told me about the Tikosyn drug option that I want to consider in getting rid of my 5-month-old persistent A-Fib. That seems like something that should be discussed on your web site.”

Blood Thinners/Anticoagulants

Note: January 2024 Update: Warfarin (and Aspirin) is no longer recommended as first-line therapy to prevent A-Fib stroke per 2023 Guide for Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation.

1. “Are anticoagulants and blood thinners the same thing? How do they thin the blood?

2. “Should everyone who has A-Fib be on a blood thinner or anticoagulant?

3. “Are natural blood thinners for blood clot treatment as good as prescription blood thinners like anticoagulants?”

4. “I’m worried about having to take the blood thinner warfarin. If I cut myself, do I risk bleeding to death?“

Post-Procedure

1. “I’ve had a successful catheter ablation and am no longer in A-Fib. But my doctor says I need to be on a blood thinner. I’ve been told that, even after a successful catheter ablation, I could still have “silent” A-Fib—A-Fib episodes that I’m not aware of. Is there anything I can do to get off of blood thinners?“

2. “I just had an Electrical Cardioversion. My doctor wants me to stay an anticoagulant for at least one month. Why is that required? They mentioned something about a “stunned atrium.” What is that?“

A-Fib Stroke Risk

1. “What are my chances of getting an A-Fib stroke?“

2. “The A-Fib.com web site claims that an A-Fib stroke is often worse than other causes of stroke. Why is that? If a clot causes a stroke, what difference does it make if it comes from A-Fib or other causes? Isn’t the damage the same?“

3. “I have infrequent episodes of A-Fib. Do I have to be on a blood thinner?”

4. “Are there alternatives to taking anticoagulants? “My heart doctor wants me to take Xarelto. I am concerned about the side effects. What else can I do?”

Related question: “Is there a way to get off blood thinners all together? I hate taking an anticoagulant. I know I’m at risk of an A-Fib stroke.”

5. “I’ve heard of people with A-Fib on anticoagulants who still had a stroke. What can I do to make sure I never have a stroke?”

If you find any errors on this page, email us. Y  Last updated: Wednesday, September 2, 2026
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