Does Propafenone Causes Muscle And Joints Pain In Upper Shoulders And Arms?

Posted on Mon, 12 Oct 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 12 Oct 2015 Answered on

Thu, 29 Oct 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Thank you..Does Propafenone 150mg 3x's a day cause muscle and joint pain and also now taken with Warfarin 5.0 mg's on Mondays and Fridays and other days 2.5 mgs. INR taken once a week at home and reported into the company. Other words doctor is monitoring. OH AND I HAVE A PACEMAKER SINCE 2008.

I HAVE EXTREME MUSCLE AND JOINT PAIN IN UPPER SHOULDERS AND ARMS.
Thank you XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Symptomatic treatment and safer anticoagulation

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking

I read your question and i understand your concern. Propafenone is an antidysrhythmic drug and may cause such musculoskeletal pains however age related arthralgias also can explain this and is more likely cause of it. ALeve for sure is black box warning for cardiovascular profile so safe NSAIDs like ibuprofen or pain killers like NSAIDs and muscle relaxants and home remedies like massage and warm compressions should be used.

With pacemaker history and warfarin intake, i don't recommend warfarin's and advise to go for safer anticoagulation like rivaroxaban or fondaparinux. you will be spared of the headache of weekly INR monitoring too.

Nutshell adequate analgesia for the pain and symptomatic care and safer anticoagulation over warfarin is advised.

I hope it helps. take good care of yourself and don't forget to close the discussion please.

Regards
Khan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar