Flecainide and Bisoprolol

[Summer60]

Does anyone know why a beta blocker (in my case Bisoprolol) has to be taken in conjunction with Flecainide?

[wilsond]

Im not sure,but i had to come off bisoprolol as a daily dose.I use it if my afib and f!utter set off in a mad race,not my usual style of arrthymia.I remained on tne f!ecanaide though.

I do recall that when I was first given flec.,in hospital,I was taken off my existing bisoprolol as my heart rate was too low 40 to 50.Howevef, a week later became very ill with very bad afib attack,or so I thought.My son called an ambulance and their ecg was unable to be interpreted by them.I had gone into atrial flutter through the flecanaide.

For a time I took both,but now as the flutter episodes have diminished, and tbe side effects were horrible,was able to try as a pill in pocket (Biso) and daily dose (flec)

hope this helps!

[Summer60 in reply to wilsond]

Thanks for replying, I would like to stop taking Bisoprolol but was told by my Doctor that I had to take it while taking Flecainide

[Finvola]

Flecainide, although it is an anti arrhythmic drug, has the potential to induce atrial flutter. The beta blocker is there to reduce the conduction rate of flutter signals to the pumping chambers of the heart.

It seems to work for me (I now take Nebivolol, rather than Bisop which made me breathless) and my short runs of flutter are kept at around 110bpm, instead of about three times that rate.

[Summer60 in reply to Finvola]

Thank you, that is helpful

[Slim2018]

Don’t think it does. After my Cardioversion my Cardiologist switched me from Bisoprolol to Flecainide as they do different jobs and one doesn’t depend on the other.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Slim2018]

See Finvola's answer above. Beta blocker usually needed to prevent unwanted other arrhythmias.

[dmjtanner in reply to BobD]

Yes, that’s what my cardiologist said also. The anti-arrhythmic drugs can cause “pro-arrhythmias” which the beta blockers help control.

[wilsond]

To add to the above, I was taken OFF bisoprolol in hospital when I was put on flecanaide,as my heart rate was low,even though I was in AFib. However this did induce Flutter...:(. But,further down the line,I was able to come back off bisoprolol,as heart rate was too low still.I do occasionally have fast heart rate,for which I take 5 mg as a response drug. So for me,taking flecanaide does not mean I have to take bisoprolol as a daily dose but maybe Im a bit weird!

We are all different ,

hope you keep well x

[Bagrat]

I don't take bisoprolol with flecainide as I felt grim and low pulse. A couple of years ago I had a couple of episodes of tachycardia ( only 100 or so) and asked GP if I could take less flecainide. Have been mainly ok on lower dose though did have a tiny episode of fast irregular pulse last week which lasted only a minute or two. Think it was portent of stinky cold which has arrived!!

I do not have a Kardia and wouldn't as could easily get obsessed.

[Brenda-j]

I take Flecainide with securon (verapamil)

[dmac4646]

I cant take it Bisop because it drove pulse too low have been on Flec for 13 years with no BB.

[TenorJK]

Just take Flecainide , every one is different. Bisoprolol just made me ill, dreadful stuff. Over 10 years or so now. Take your pick!!!!!!!

[Hidden]

I take only Flecainide 50 mg x2 a day & Apixaban 5mg x 2 & I’m fine. I was on Bisoprolol 1.25 initially but it dropped both my pulse & BP too low & I felt awful. I think many cardiologists recommend both as there is an increased risk of going into AFlutter just on Flecainide, but it seems many on here take it on its own with no problem.

It depends on the reason you were given the beta blocker (Bisoprolol) in the first place - e.g. for raised BP or rapid HR. Mine are only raised when in AF & the Flecainide is keeping that at bay.

I believe someone else has already said that we are all different.

All the best

Pat x

[Tapanac]

I had heard that one needed a beta blocker and an calcium channel blocker when taking flecainide, but I asked the cardiologist who is a professor and my EP said to come off the beta blocker and he said it was perfectly OK to do so. He thought these days of more knowledge there was no need to take in conjunction.

[willec49]

I am being prescribed the same combination. In my case, the Beta Blocker is Metoprolol. The reason my doctor gave me is that Flecainide can cause heart flutter or arrythmias itself, so the Beta Blocker is added to control and prevent that. Good luck!

[Salhndz]

I am taking flec 2x day and metropolol 1x day. Been taking it for about a month and and a half. At first I had a bunch of flutter for about two weeks from the initial dose. Then things seemed to be getting good. For the next few weeks I had little to no flutter. Now, a couple of days ago, I missed my dose for one day, and the following day, I did flec without metropolol and I just went into flutter city. Yesterday my HR shot up to 93 and it took 3-4 hours to calm it down with the metropolol. I think the flec doesn't work for me. I'm going to try 1x flex and 1x metropolol for now until my next EP visit.

[Blavet]

Hi there. They don’t always have to be taken in conjunction. Flecanide controls rhythm and Bisoprolol controls rate and some people need to have their pulse rate lowered in order to minimise bouts of AF.

[secondtry]

I think it is all about QOL and your beliefs re Big Pharma. My lowish BP and pulse was the reason why my cardio did not put me on a BB or CB with Flecainide. I have been very well for 5 years. I suspect there is a small acceptable increase in risk with just Flec and BB/CBs are prescribed as a belt and braces approach and because that is the advice medics have had from Big Pharma, who 'of course' have the patients best interests at heart; sorry about that pun.