...might be wrong spelling but you know the one I mean ☺
I was wondering whether you have to be admitted to hospital and in AF to be prescribed this? My cardiologist said something to that effect but I see so many of you referring to being on it that I was wondering if that was indeed always the case.
I was first prescribed this by my EP After surgery I was taken off it but put back on during my 3 weeks as an impatient. It was stopped after a holster test identified problems. After pacemaker I went back on it. My consultant has always prescribed it but not hospitalised alwY
There was a protocol that anti arrhythmic drugs and flecainide (you spelt it right) in particular needed to be prescribed in secondary care not primary (GP). The reason is that the drug can cause problems particularly if there are other heart related issues such as blocked arteries.
That said many people are put on flecainide in outpatients clinic so long as tests such as echocardiogram show no signs of eschemia or related problems. I know I was before my EP switched me to a different anti arrhythmic drug. I am guessing that your cardiologist is not an EP by the way from what he said.
Bob
I was first prescribed Flecainide by my GP - he was qualified in cardiology and had a special interest in arrythmias - he insisted that the first time I used it was under medical supervision for 6 hours as, like any drug, it can cause the symptoms you take the drug for it - it can cause arrythmia and nausea and a few other non desirable effects. As it happens I was fine and tolerated it very well and it worked for quite while for me.
I know a lot of people report just pick up a prescription and use it at home, as Bob says, one hopes after that all reasonable investigations have been completed.
Only caution - take on an empty stomach as it can make you feel very nauseous taken after food. And obviously read the leaflet carefully.
Flecainide can also be used in hospital as chemical cardioversion - delivered as an IV drug - I wonder if this is what your cardiologist was referring to?
I was prescribed 2 x 100mg of Flecainide by an EP to start at home with no mention of monitoring. My echocardiogram and all other tests were clear but, thanks to this forum, I knew enough to be aware of potential problems during the first few days of treatment. It all went well and it has kept AF at bay for nearly two years.
I was started on flec the day after my first ablation, after going into prolonged AF before I was discharged.
Wendi
It doesn't work for everyone. I've been put on it twice, 10 years apart, and both times it cause palpitations. No settling in period for me was suggested, I was just taken off it immediately. Other rhythm control drugs work for me.
Koll
I started at home 50 mg twice a day for a week then if no problems increase to 100 twice a day. Still holding things steaddy 5years later.
It was the case for me, I went into AF for the third time in a month and called an ambulance. After 4 hours in Accident and Emergency I was admitted to Cardiology ward and since then I have been seeing a Cardiologist and have been prescribed Flecainide.
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