Pins and Needles on Flecainide

[Jonathan_C]

I am on CR 100mg (the slow acting capsules) and got a bout of pins and needles just now. This is the only side effect of flecainide my EP said he knew about and that i shouldn't be concerned.

So I try not to be concerned, but it can be incredibly uncomfortable and intense. I think the only way to relieve it is through deep breathing (almost like what you do when meditating and/or yoga).

Anyone know how to prevent it, which would be preferable!

Strangely enough I didn't get this when I was on CR200mg.

[Maggimunro]

Hi Jonathon, they tried me on Flecainide last year and exactly the same thing happened to me.

I read the drug information leaflet and did a bit of research and talked to my GP and realised three things: according to my GP Flecainide should only be used under controlled conditions, ie with supervision since it can lead to ventricular tachycardia ( very bad) and secondly it has some nasty side effects including an affinity for lung tissue. Since I already have nodules in my lungs and it wasn't helping me anyway, I decided to stop it. Thirdly, it is far more effective at controlling rate as opposed to rhythm.

As for preventing the side effects, sorry but I have no idea on that one.

Obviously this was a very personal decision and one I didn't take lightly but none of the drugs they tried with me before my three ablations helped in the slightest and they all had side effects.

[StuJ019]

I have been taking Flecainide for nearly three years, I am now on 200mg a day taking 100mg at 10am and 100mg at 10pm. Flecainide controls my AF very well my dose was put up from 100mg a day to 200mg a day in January when my AF was no longer under control just taking the 100 mg a day. Within a few days of the higher dose my AF was under control again. I do not seem to suffer any real side effects from Flecainide and have not heard of pins and needles being a side effect . I get tired and out of breath but that is also part of AF, and the other medication I take along with Flecainide also have these as side effects. I am glad I was put on Flecainide as it really helps control my AF.