Flecanide

[steve60]

Hi all. Could I have some views on flecanide as I thought it was meant to slow down episodes of afib but I continue to have weekly episodes even after taking the full dose as prescribed by my cardiologist ?

[BobD Volunteer]

Flecainide like propafanone is a rhythm control drug and is supposed to stop you going in to AF rather that control the rate like beta blockers do. I don't know what dose you are on but if at the top end of the scale and still not effective then you should.discuss with you EP trying a different drug such as propafanone maybe or dronadarone. or a combination of flec and bisoprolol for example to try and control rate and rhythm.

BobD

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi Steve

The only consistent thing about A Fib sufferers seems to be their inconsistency, we are all different and all react differently to the various combinations of drug treatments. If you've been on it for a while and it's not helping as Bob D says, back to the EP and tell them about it and ask them if a change of drugs would help.

I know it's a pain but there are no quick fix solutions on offer I regret to say

Be well

Ian

[steve60 in reply to Beancounter]

Thanks for the replies, at onset of Afib I have to take 3x100mg of Flec, after about 3 hrs it stops, however I did think that this would reduce the episodes I have or at least make the space between them longer, as I said I have about 1 episode a week now but did assume that they would subside a little. I have'nt been on Flec that long (had about 4 doses) so does it maybe take a little longer to have any long term effect ?

[duckpopper]

Hello I am also taking flecanide only been on it a few weeks 50 mg twice a day , but also take 5mg of bisoprolol once a day as well , I think the bisoprolol really help , before I went on to flecanide I took 10 mg of bisoprolol and must admitt I felt a lot better when I was just taking those ,so I don't know what to do for the best , but I think you should go see your doctor and ask about bisoprolol hope they work for you

[duckpopper]

Also I take flecanide twice Aday , do you take yours on the onset of af attack? Maybe you could ask about everyday like myself , as it should control the attack from happening good luck

[Japaholic]

Flecainide but me back in hospital, increased the severity of symptoms, made me paranoid, anxious and depressed. In short I cursed my GP for ever prescribing it.

Now I a, on Soltalol I feel much more in control of my AF.

[rupert12]

I am on Flecanide too, it has taken a while to get the right dose, I also take bisoprolol once a day too. As my attacks always happen at night, I take 2 x 50mg of flecanide in the evening and 1 50mg in the morning. Personally I think it is a good drug for me, it just needed to be tweeked to get the right dose. Like Ian says there is no quick fix but you do need to go back to your EP - you will get there! Wendy.

[Terjo]

I saw my Dr yesterday and he has said to take Flecanide 50 mg three times in the 24 hrs which I have done he has also prescribed furosemide first thing in the morning to try and bring my BP down. We'll see how it goes. Has anyone else tried furosemide ? Terjo

[steve60 in reply to Terjo]

Many thanks for all the replies, they really help, should also have mentioned that I drink at weekends so not wanting to go down the route of other medicenes whereby I have to give up the drink for good (I'm informed that only Flec will allow you to drink alcohol ?)

[Juls54 in reply to steve60]

Hi Steve60 I am on Flecanide 100 mg twice a day + 100 mg for break thru runs & Vascoardol 180 mg . I also had weekly break thru AF & Cardio added Sigmaxin 250 mg & the AF has settled down to 1 break thru every 8 - 12 weeks . I have been taking Flecanide for 6 yrs now & the only real problem these drugs cause me are the effect they have on my stomach . I think everyones experiences with these drugs are different & it is a matter of working out with your Cardio what works best for you .

[Thomas45 in reply to Terjo]

I've been on 150mg Flecainide x 2 per day for about 5 years and my episodes of AF are few and far between and short lasting (2 x 30 minute episodes just before going to bed in the last 22 months). I'm also on furesomide because of fluid retention in my left leg, and also for fluid on my lungs, although it worked very quickly to get rid of fluid there. Because I'm also being treated for Polymyalgia Rheumatica and taking 20mg Prednisolone a day I do tend to get fluid in my legs and feet. Furesomide helps.

I believe that Coffee and Soya can trigger AF with me, so I havent had either for 6 years and 4 years respectively.

[Terjo in reply to Thomas45]

Thank you Thomas for your reply.

I started on Furosemide two days ago 20mg and it seemed to do something immediately . The dr said to cut the tablet in half and see how that goes. It seems better. I'm taking it to bring my very high blood pressure down. I can't take most of the other BP meds on offer. I take 50mg Flecanide x 3 times a day plus asprin.

Hope this works for me, you give me hope as you don't mention any bad side effects. Terjo