Switching from Sotalol to Flecainide and Digoxin

The consultant I saw at St Barts said that I should switch from Sotalol to Flecainide (I don’t know what the dose is- the prescription just says “as directed by cardiology”; the tablet strength is 50mg) and digoxin 125mg once a day. I am rather apprehensive about this. This was in response to my saying that I had had palpitations.

Has anyone experienced negative side effects from either of these? The digoxin mentions the possibility of hallucinations which sounds very alarming. Also, have people found that these medications are effective in quelling ectopics?

I will have to get back tonSt Barts to find out what dose of flecainide I should take. Probabaly it’s one 50mg tablet per day.

My 72 hour holter test came back ok- some ectopics but no AF during the night. Of course, this is only a snapshot and doesn’t rule out AF at night when the holter was not being used for monitoring.

[BobD Volunteer]

Why were you not wearing the holter 24 hours a day like most of us?

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

I meant that AF might have occurred at night before or after I did the continuous 72 hour holter test

[wilsond]

I take flecanide as pill in pocket now. Previously on 200mg a day,then reduced to 100mg then 50 then as required,asmy symptoms improved(through lifestyle and stress reduction having lost my job through af )

no problems really,on the higher dose some dizziness and blurry side vision.

Not had digoxin so cannot comment sorry.

Best wishes x

[Hidden in reply to wilsond]

Thanks. I’m still not sure what dosage I am to take as-as noted above- the package doesn’t say.

[Hidden]

When I was first diagnosed I was put on sotalol by cardiologist. For 4 mo I complained as it made me dizzy and exhausted, cardiologist wouldnt hear me. Finally saw sn EP, he immediately took me off sotalol and put me on flecainide. I was apprehensive too but I had zero pfoblem with it. Currently Im only taking it as needed( pip) but if I had to go back to daily, I would have no issue with it.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Sounds encouraging!

[Hidden]

I was put on pip Flecainide and developed atrial flutter which is not unusual. I was switched to regular Sotalol and had no problems for 8 years.