difference in meds

[Musetta]

Is flecainide as a p-i-p taken as well as being on other antiarrhythmics such as the beta-blockers,diltiazem

and similar meds? How effective is a p-i-p during an -AF episode? I'm slightly confused on this issue.

Cheers.

[Swale]

Hello Musetta , I used to get AF about two or three times a year and only had flecainide as a p-I-p. I used to take 200mg when I went into AF and roughly an hour later I would return to normal rhythm. I wasn't on any other medication at the time until my bouts of AF became more frequent.

I have had two ablations and am back to flecainide as a p-I-p.

[jennydog]

Can you reference this with Booboo's post "Need a plan" and my remarks there? I think that flecainide as a pip is best in combination with some bisoprolol or its equivalent but that information is only what I have gleaned on this site.

[BobD Volunteer]

Generally speaking (and remember we are all different) a patient would be on beta blockers long term if given PIP. This kind of treatment doesn't always work for everybody although for some, a 300mg dose of Flecainide may revert them to NSR. AND NO MORE FOR 24 HOURS. In cases where it fails, long term prescription of Flecainide may be advised but do remember that this drug should only be initially prescribed under controlled hospital conditions due to the possibility of it causing other problems.

[Rellim296 in reply to BobD]

I was told to take 50mgs of flecainide as a PIP an hour after the onset of AF and a further 50mgs an hour later if needed. In fact I rarely need to take flecainide (I often wait until it's an hour before food by which time NSR has returned) but I have never known it not work within an hour or so. I sometimes have taken the second dose and AF ceases almost at once and I wonder if the first dose had worked but just a bit slowly and I didn't need the follow up.

I feel that taking Rivaroxaban on time with food has precedence over taking flecainide an hour before food.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Rellim296]

As I said we are all different. 300mg and no more for 24 hours was how I used it back along and is a common protocol. Depends I guess on your EP and how embedded your AF is. Doesn't work for everybody as we know.

[Rellim296 in reply to BobD]

I used to like to give AF a good slug of flecainide when I was on 100mgs x 2 a day and would take extra - can't remember how much - when needed. One of my objections to moving up to 150mgs x 2 was that one had little scope to deal with any AF and I regret taking 300mgs of flecainide on a daily basis for 8 months.

[Drounding]

I have a pip 50mg. I have taken it a few times and the af went within half an hour. Whether that was the flecanide or just time I don't know. I also take 5mg Bisoprolol daily.

I normally just get very short episodes but have been converted in a&e twice.

I think I just feel better knowing I have something on me that can help when it happens.

I've been regularly listening to a lot of stress relieving hypnosis and well being recordings which have certainly changed my outlook towards af and also helped me managed my response when it happens. The frequency has most definitely reduced after managing my daily stress.

There's lots of factors, some work for some people, some don't. Pip works for me, whether that's psychologically or not I don't know.

Sorry for rambling.