Flecainide

[RonSym]

After a year or so on just bisoprolol my doctor has put me on flecainide acetate tablets too. What do they do?

[BobD Volunteer]

Bisoprolol is a beta blocker which merely controls heart rate when you are in AF. Flecainide is an anti-arrhythmic in other words a rhythm control drug to try and stop you going into AF. I'm guessing this is not your GP who did this as Flecainide should normally only be prescribed in the first instance by a cardiologist and only after ensuring that there are no other cardiac problems. Again normally a small dose of beta blocker would also be included as flecainide can cause other issues which the beta blocker would then help to control.

If you go to AF Association website there is an excellent booklet on drugs used in AF which you can download.

[RonSym in reply to BobD]

Thanks. Yes , I saw a cardiologist first who sent a letter to my GP. I'll look up the booklet. Ron

[Andyt36 in reply to BobD]

Hi Bobd, interesting what issues can flex cause without bisoprosol, as my cardio was considering just flec a while back. Thanks

[daved525 in reply to Andyt36]

My EP also prescribed a beta blocker while I was on Flecainide. Reason given was that Flecainide can promote flutter (apparently it likes any regular rhythm, including flutter), & the beta blocker helps prevent (or at least control) that.

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

When asked, all the speakers at our support group say regular daily doses of flecainide should only be taken with either a beta blocker or a calcium channel blocker. However, if flecainide is used irregularly as a PiP (pill in the pocket), then it can be used on its own, but as always, members need to check with their medics as we are all different and other factors may apply.