Flecainide v Dronedarone

Dr wonders if I would be better long term on Dronedarone rather than Flecainide. I see one of the side effects is rapid weight gain! Think I’ll pass unless this drug really is a wonder cure.

Anybody tried it?

Di

[BobD Volunteer]

Dronedarone was widely expected to be the great new hope in AF control when it first came out but has sadly disappointed . From time to time we see an apparent resurgence in interest in it and then it goes quiet again. From memory one needs regular liver function tests if you are taking it and many reported digestive problems I think. I was on propafanone rather than flecainide as a rhythm control drug prior to my ablations so maybe discuss further with your EP. I assume that is who you are being treated by as rhythm control drugs are not usually prescribed by GP s.

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

He just threw it into the conversation today when discussing a blood test result. I saw a cardiologist yesterday evening and she has upped my Flecainide to 50 twice a day plus a 100 as PIP. This concerned the doctor as he doesn’t like Flecainide for long term use.

Di

[pottypete1 in reply to Hidden]

I have taken 100Mg x2 daily Flecainide for over 20 years.

I have had no ill effects.

Often it is prescribed together with a low dose of Bisoprolol but in my case Bisoprolol was discontinued a year ago as it gave me Bradycardia as well as AF.

I also use Flecainide as a PIP and again on most occasions it works.

Pete

[Andyt36 in reply to pottypete1]

Hi Pete the fact that you take flec as a pip does that mean you have the occasional episode? If so how much do you take when you have an episode?

Thanks much

[pottypete1 in reply to Andyt36]

Right now I have been stable for some months after my 7th ablation last August.

In the past I took Flecainide as a pill in the pocket whenever I had an episode of AF which could be at between 2 days and 2-3 month intervals over a period of around 25 years.

Regarding the dose for PIP I took 200Mg as the dose but if I had taken my morning or evening dose recently I would only take an extra 100Mg.

All that said don’t do anything without the guidance of your EP as we are all different and have different medical conditions.

Pete

[Fearnie]

I have been on Dronedarone for about 2 years. Liver function is fine. No weight gain. Seems to be ok. Have AF about once per month and lasts a few hours but cope with the symptoms.

[Hidden]

I was on Dronedarone for a few months prior to an ablation shortly after it came on the market and certainly didn't have a weight gain ( I can manage that without the help of a tablet!!)

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

You and me both

[Alun135]

My cardiologist tried me on dronedarone but I experienced nadt cramp in both legs simultaneously doors had to come off it back onto Flecainide.

[dave205]

WARNING

INCREASED RISK OF DEATH, STROKE AND HEART FAILURE IN PATIENTS WITH DECOMPENSATED HEART FAILURE OR PERMANENT ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

In patients with symptomatic heart failure and recent decompensation requiring hospitalization or NYHA Class IV heart failure; MULTAQ doubles the risk of death. MULTAQ is contraindicated in patients with symptomatic heart failure with recent decompensation requiring hospitalization or NYHA Class IV heart failure.

In patients with permanent atrial fibrillation, MULTAQ doubles the risk of death, stroke and hospitalization for heart failure. MULTAQ is contraindicated in patients in atrial fibrillation (AF) who will not or cannot be cardioverted into normal sinus rhythm.

[Hidden in reply to dave205]

Ouch!

[Deeferdi]

I was on Dronedarone and at first my AF went from episodes of 3-4 times per week to none at all for about 5 weeks so I liked it. I took it along side Diltiazem. When my episodes did come back after the first 5 weeks they didn't last anywhere near as long as pre-Dronedarone. I didn't experience any weight gain either, in fact no side effects for me at all, although I appreciate everyone is different. I was on it for two years. You have regular liver function tests once a month for the first six months then it drops to every three months. I'm now med free after my cryoablation in May 2017.

Di 😊

[Hidden in reply to Deeferdi]

That sounds good.

Another Di

[Deeferdi in reply to Hidden]

Yes lol. I forgot to say my EP did mention Flecanide to me but said one of the side effects of that was a metallic taste in the mouth so he put me on Dronedarone instead.

Di

[Sueintexas]

I was having trouble with recurring afib after a recent ablation. I was on propafenone which was not helping. They switched me to dronedarone and it was like a miracle drug for me. No more afib, shortness of breath was much better. I went from feeling miserable to feeling normal again. They plan to take me off of it after the blanking period. So far I have nothing but good to say about dronedarone. I do hope to get off of it after the blanking period.