Precautions
Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can check your heart rhythm and monitor your progress. Treatment with flecainide is usually long-term unless you experience an adverse effect. You should continue to take it unless you are advised otherwise by your doctor.
Is it safe to take flecainide long term?
stopping Flecainide will not prove that you no longer have AF. I also wonder what long term effects you are concerned about. In my experience AF does not go away and has an unfortunate tendency to come back when least expected.
Can I stop taking flecainide?
Using this drug with flecainide is not recommended because it may slow your heart rate too much. Using these drugs with flecainide may decrease the levels of flecainide in your body. This may cause flecainide not to work as well as it should. Using this drug with flecainide may increase the levels of flecainide in your body.
Can flecainide result in too low a heart rate?
I've never heard of blood pressure being affected by Flecainide. A bp of 120/60 is fine. You should take it twice and average it then do so twice per day over 2 days to get a good overall average. Your bp is normally lower in the mornings compared to evenings. Mine is 110/65 in the mornings and 130/80 evenings. I'm very happy with that.
Does flecainide lower blood pressure?
Is flecainide a high risk drug?
FDA warning for heart attack and irregular heart rate If you've had a heart attack within the past two years, flecainide may raise your risk of having another heart attack, which can be fatal. This drug should only be used if you have a life-threatening irregular heart rate.
Is flecainide safe for long term use?
Some may take it occasionally or for a short period of time, while others may take it for many years. Your heart specialist will need to decide the right treatment course for you. Flecainide is not known to cause serious long-term side effects compared to some other antiarrhythmics.
Who should not take flecainide?
high levels of potassium in the blood. low amount of potassium in the blood. a heart attack. complete heart block.
What are the most common side effects and risks of flecainide?
Dizziness, vision problems (such as blurred vision, problems focusing, seeing spots), headache, nausea, shaking, tiredness, or weakness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
What are the dangers of flecainide?
Check with your doctor right away if you develop any of the following: chest pain; shortness of breath; swelling of your hands, ankles, or feet; or weight gain. These may be symptoms of heart failure. This medicine can cause changes in your heart rhythm, such as conditions called PR, QRS, or QT prolongation.
What is the safest antiarrhythmic drug?
Of all antiarrhythmic agents, dofetilide and amiodarone have been proven safe in patients with heart failure.
What are 3 side effects of flecainide?
More commonDifficult or labored breathing.dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness.fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse.wheezing.
Which is safer amiodarone or flecainide?
Overall, these analyses suggest that acute and chronic therapy with flecainide does not confer a mortality benefit or risk compared with controls in patients with AF, but that flecainide may confer a lower mortality risk compared with sotalol and amiodarone.
How effective is flecainide for AFIB?
In clinical trials and real-world use, flecainide has proven to be more effective than other AADs for the acute termination of recent onset AF. Flecainide is also moderately effective and, with the exception of amiodarone, equivalent to other AADs for the chronic suppression of paroxysmal and persistent AF.
Does flecainide cause liver damage?
Liver injury due to flecainide is rare and usually mild. Cases of prolonged jaundice, but no reports of acute liver failure, chronic hepatitis or vanishing bile duct syndrome attributed to flecainide, have been published.
Does flecainide affect blood pressure?
In comparison with propranolol, flecainide increased heart rate and QRS duration (p less than 0.01, p less than 0.001 respectively). It increased diastolic BP, PR interval, QS2-Index, PEP, and PEP/LVET ratio, and decreased LVET-Index (p less than 0.05).
Is 200 mg of flecainide a lot?
Adults—At first, 100 milligrams (mg) every 12 hours. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 400 mg per day.
Does flecainide lose effectiveness over time?
Background: Flecainide loses its efficacy to cardiovert when AF has been present for more than 24 hours. Most probably, the loss is caused by atrial electrical remodeling. Studies suggest electrical remodeling is completely reversible within 4 days after restoration of sinus rhythm (SR).
Is there an alternative drug to flecainide?
Six antiarrhythmic drugs are often used to treat atrial fibrillation: propafenone (Rhythmol), flecainide (Tambocor), sotalol (Betapace), dofetilide (Tikosyn), amiodarone (Cordarone), and dronedarone (Multaq).
Which is safer amiodarone or flecainide?
Overall, these analyses suggest that acute and chronic therapy with flecainide does not confer a mortality benefit or risk compared with controls in patients with AF, but that flecainide may confer a lower mortality risk compared with sotalol and amiodarone.
Why do I have to take metoprolol with flecainide?
Flecainide is effective in preventing AF recurrences in 31-61% of cases according to different studies. 2-5 A recent study showed that the combination of Flecainide and Metoprolol improves effective rhythm control in patients with persistent symptomatic AF compared to Flecainide or Metoprolol alone.
Before Taking This Medicine
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to flecainide, or if you have certain heart conditions, especially "AV block" (unless you ha...
How Should I Take Flecainide?
You will need to receive your first few doses of flecainide in a hospital setting in case the medication causes serious side effects. Your heart ra...
What Happens If I Miss A Dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dos...
What Happens If I Overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, slow heart ra...
What Should I Avoid While Taking Flecainide?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using flecainide.
Flecainide Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Ventricular Tachycardia:Initial dose: 100 mg orally every 12 hours. Maintenance dose: May be increased in increments of 50 mg...
What Other Drugs Will Affect Flecainide?
Before taking flecainide, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: 1. cimetidine (Tagamet), 2. digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxi...
What is flecainide used for?
Flecainide is a class Ic antiarrhythmic agent that has an important role as part of rhythm control strategies in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).
Does flecainide cause dizziness?
Potential cardiac adverse effects of flecainide include proarrhythmia, conduction abnormalities and negative inotropic effects. Dizziness is the most frequent non-cardiac side effect, followed by blurred vision and difficulty focusing; these are almost all mild, transient and tolerable.
Is flecainide safe for renal patients?
Caution is required when using flecainide in patients with renal dysfunction, and there are a number of drug interactions, but these are well documented and manageable. Overall, flecainide is a good choice for the pharmacological management of AF. It has a good safety record and low incidence of adverse effects, ...
How long after a missed med can you take it?
Take the missed dose if you remember it within six hours. If you do not remember it until six or more hours after the scheduled time, skip the missed dose and take your next regular dose. Do not take a double dose.
Can you keep flecainide in a container?
Keep flecainide in the container it came in.
Can you take flecainide with milk?
We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy. Flecainide comes in tablets and is usually taken twice a day. Take with food or milk if it causes stomach upset. This medication is usually started in the hospital, where your response to it can be closely monitored by your doctor. Your prescription label tells you how much ...
Can flecainide cause headaches?
Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you. Flecainide can cause dizziness, headaches, fatigue and tremor. Always have enough of this medication on hand. Check your supply before vacations, holidays and other times when you may not be able to get more.
What is flecainide used for?
Flecainide is used to prevent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmia, and paroxysmal supra ventricular tachycardia. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is a condition that causes temporary abnormal heart rate in the upper chambers of your heart. It can cause symptoms such as lightheadedness, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Ventricular arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm that starts in the lower chambers of your heart. Your doctor may give you this drug if they believe that your condition is life threatening. Supra ventricular tachycardia is a condition that causes a temporary increase in your heart rate that starts in the parts of your heart above the ventricles. It can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest tightness, and being able to feel your heart beating.
Why should you monitor your flecainide levels?
This should be monitored regularly because your risk of side effects increases if your flecainide levels are too high. Your levels should be monitored more closely if you have severe kidney disease, severe liver disease, or congestive heart failure.
Can flecainide cause heart problems?
Abnormal heart rhythm risk. Flecainide can cause new or worsened abnormal heart rhythms. Depending on your condition, your doctor may first give you this medication in the hospital so that your heart rhythms can be closely monitored.
How to avoid interactions with medications?
To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Does flecainide increase your risk of side effects?
Using this drug with flecainide may increase the levels of flecainide in your body. This may increase your risk of side effects.
Can you take flecainide and nifedipine together?
Calcium channel blockers, such as nifedipine and diltiazem. Using these drugs with flecainide is not recommended because the effects of using them together are unknown.
Does flecainide cause drowsiness?
Flecainide oral tablet doesn’t cause drowsiness, but it can cause other side effects. Mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
What is flecainide used for?
It is used to restore normal heart rhythm and maintain a regular, steady heartbeat. It is also used to prevent certain types of irregular heartbeat from returning (such as atrial fibrillation ). Flecainide is known as an anti-arrhythmic drug. It works by blocking certain electrical signals in the heart that can cause an irregular heartbeat. Treating an irregular heartbeat can decrease the risk for blood clots, and this effect can reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke .Older adults should discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with their doctor or pharmacist, as well as other effective and possibly safer treatments.
How to take flecainide acetate?
How to use Flecainide ACETATE. Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually twice daily or as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your age, medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking.
How to report flecainide side effects in Canada?
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345. Precautions. Before taking flecainide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
Can flecainide cause diarrhea?
This risk may increase if you use certain drugs (such as diuretics /" water pills " ) or if you have conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using flecainide safely. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially QT prolongation (see above).
Can flecainide cause irregular heartbeat?
Though this medication often gives great benefits to people with irregular heartbeat, it may rarely cause a serious new irregular heartbeat. Therefore, when starting treatment with this drug, your doctor may recommend that you stay in the hospital for proper monitoring. Flecainide should not be used to treat a certain type ...
Are you currently using Flecainide ACETATE?
This survey is being conducted by the WebMD marketing sciences department.
How long does it take for neuropathy to resolve after flecainide?
At least 6 cases of flecainide-induced peripheral neuropathy (sensory loss) have been reported and it appears to develop after prolonged use ( 2 to 10 years). Following discontinuation of flecainide therapy, symptoms (e.g., lower-extremity weakness and/or paresthesias, gait disturbance) resolved over 3 to 6 months. However, in some cases the neuropathy did not resolve after discontinuation of flecainide. [ Ref]
Does flecainide cause urinary retention?
Class I antiarrhythmic agents such as flecainide have local anesthetic and anticholinergic properties which may rarely cause urinary retention . [ Ref] Genitourinary side effects including complaints of impotence are reported in 4% of patients. A case of urinary retention associated with flecainide has been reported.
Does flecainide need medical attention?
Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention. Some side effects of flecainide may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.
Does flecainide cause side effects?
Side effects requiring immediate medical attention. Along with its needed effects, flecainide may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Does flecainide cause arrhythmias?
Cardiovascular side effects including arrhythmias are the most serious side effects. Flecainide may cause or exacerbate arrhythmias in 1% of patients with preexisting paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and in 7% of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
What are the side effects of flecainide?
With any medication, there are risks and benefits. Even if the medication is working, you may experience some unwanted side effects.
What is flecainide?
Flecainide is an antiarrhythmic. It works by blocking sodium channels, which play a major part in your heart's electrical activity. When your heart is firing too quickly in an abnormal rhythm (arrhythmia), flecainide slows down the electricity to help your rhythm return to normal.
What are alternatives to flecainide?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of flecainide. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
How much does flecainide cost?
To avoid dangerous drug interactions, make sure that your providers know exactly what medications you take at home. Prices for flecainide start at just $ 20.30 with a GoodRx coupon. They’re fast, easy-to-use and free! View Coupon Prices.
How long does it take for flecainide to work?
It will typically take up to 5 days for you to see the full effect after starting flecainide or after each dose change. You might feel lightheaded or dizzy when first starting on flecainide. Stand or sit up slowly while taking this medication.
Does flecainide help with atrial fibrillation?
Flecainide works well for treating atrial fibrillation only if it's paroxysmal, which means that it comes and goes pretty infrequently. Some people are given a single dose of flecainide to take as soon as they notice a new episode of atrial fibrillation. If your atrial fibrillation is chronic, meaning that is long-standing or doesn't go away on its ...
Can you take flecainide for years?
Some may take it occasionally or for a short period of time , while others may take it for many years. Your heart specialist will need to decide the right treatment course for you. Flecainide is not known to cause serious long-term side effects compared to some other antiarrhythmics.
Afib now permanent so would it be safe to stop taking Tambocor (Flecainide)
six days of afib episodes to having Afib full time with no respite. As the medication has no effect...
Flecainide PIP - how often
the Flec as PIP but I felt very unwell with an episode on Sunday so went to hospital. I had 200...
How soon do you take PIP Flecainide once AF starts
had an 'episode' since February. When I do, it takes about 7hrs or so to revert back to NSR. The...
Had enough of flecainide
of AF episodes and have doubled my Flecainide dose to 100mg and gone back into NSR within 4 hours...
Flecainide daily without beta blocker
25mg Bisoprolol daily and 100mg Flecainide used as a PIP. Over the Xmas period I was getting a lot...
