Flecanide

[Moonriver]

Hello everyone. I am new to this site. Why are doctors so wary about flecanide? I have been told you can't use it long term? So what is the alternative if you wheeze on beta blockers and you have thyroid problems?

[kakapo]

It was proarrhythmic for me so I had to come off it but there was no talk of it not being suitable for long-term use.

[Japaholic]

Same for me, made my arrhythmia ten time worse. Put me in hospital.

[Rellim296]

It's a powerful drug and worked well for me in the early years. I did not know it could not be used long term.

I took it for three and a half years and after a couple of years I noticed unwelcome side effects - diminished sense of taste and numb feet. I am hoping these will disappear now I am not taking it. I think the numbness is improving slightly a couple of months on.

I didn't have visual disturbances as far as I am aware, but some people do.

I was able to give flecainide up because I had an ablation which seems to have been fairly successful.

[jennydog]

My local GPs cannot prescribe it. That has to be done by a Cardiologist. When I asked to go to 2x100 from 2x50 they had to seek my EP's approval. They seem very wary of it but it has suited me better than 4 different beta blockers. Now, post ablation, I am on 2x100 Flecainide and 1x2.5 Bisoprolol for 2 months only. EP said that the Flecainide could cause different arrhythmias and the Bisoprolol would counteract that.

[Jason1971]

I wasn't aware of any long term issues with Flecainide. It hasn't worked too well for me, but prior to that I was under the impression if it worked, then I would be on it until there was reason not to.

[rosyG]

There were serious problems for those with underlying heart issues during trial of Flecanide- perhaps this is why they don't like it for long term use as they are not monitoring any natural heart deterioration?? Just wondering here......

[dedeottie]

Flecanide completely controls my A.F. but only at a high dose and this gives me unwelcome visual disturbances so I am on the waiting list for an ablation. My E.P. said that if I hadn't had this side effect I could have stayed on it for any length of time as lo g as I didn't have any other heart problems as then it can be dangerous. X

[Robyncarmen]

Ooh what are the side affects of this Drug. I'm on it & also new to AF. Can't wait to hear what you have to say. Rob carmen

[lizwright]

My GP said he wouldn't give it to a dog! But I am on it for the rest of my life and to be honest I can't see any ill effects and it does control the af as far as I can see..

[Bagrat in reply to lizwright]

Liz ,GPs do have a way with words. Mine said "It's a very dirty drug but if it suits you that's not a problem"! Years ago we used it in palliative care for nerve type pain like sciatica so it may have good side effects too. Regards Wendy B

[Bagrat]

I've been on flecainide for three and a half years. 100mg twice a day. I do have occasional times when I suddenly feel the need to sit down and rest for half an hour (overwhelming fatigue as opposed to tiredness) and have developed dry eyes (but might have done anyway!) Have only had one episode whilst on it which was good as I was then offered anticoagulants rather than the ubiquitous aspirin. Do get tired but am an unfit 70 year old as my treadmill test showed. No other heart probs or high B/P unless I'm stressing about my health. Suffer from anxiety but don't think it's worse on flec and my bloat and nausea is better. Read somewhere off a chap who'd been on it 15 years. Had to request a check ECG though as had never had one since Hosp admission. 18 months ago and I believe you should have them regularly with this drug as there can cause late onset arrhythmias.

Best wishes Wendy B

[lizwright]

Interesting, I do seem to get quite a bit of pain in my legs and feet not sure if that is af, drugs or age. I also have a very mottled skin on my feet and spreading up my legs which I t hink may be a side effect?

[Offcut]

I have problems with flecanide been on and off it for years I am on Sotalol 80 mg twice a day now still makes me SOB but I have RLD so not a surprise. I was on 3 x 80mg Sotalol but my lips and fingers went blue.

[pattiannj]

Have been on it for 2 years & no AF so I am happy Cardiologist told me it was good for those with moundeying heart conditions.

[valg59]

Hi I am a new member of this AF club and find it very helpful. I was on flecanide for 20 years and with no real bad side effects. was weaned off after a mitral valve repair, and a maze (open heart)9 years ago. sadly started to have more problems about 2 years ago, went back on Flecanide and many other drugs, but meds are having bad side effects. Ablation has been sugested but not very good odds, only 50% chance of it working, and possible 5/6 hours general, so still have not made up my mind..