Coming off of flecanide

[Bubbles70]

Hello. I have been on flecanide for 10 years. Taking 75mg 2x a day. Went to cardiologist and now he wants me to quit cold Turkey. worried about doing that. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[BobD Volunteer]

Not sure that is a good idea. I always came off any meds a bit at a time. cutting dose over a few weeks if I had been on them a long time.

[jeanjeannie50]

I've stopped Flecainide a few times straight away and been fine. My heart has a very slight wobble, I just became aware of my beat, but all is fine after a day and I've then gone months with no AF. I once tried to come off of it by gradual reduction over weeks, but it returned before I could stop altogether. Our bodies and reactions to drugs are all so different and I guess what suits one may not suit another.

If you are anxious at that the thought of stopping Flec, then that anxiety may well promote AF to return.

Jean

[wilsond]

I have come off daily dose of flecanaide,but was told to cut dose by half for so many days,then one every other day for a few more ,then stop. Perhaps check with your cardiologist? Most medications taken regularly are best stopped slowly,I think.

[Bubbles70 in reply to wilsond]

It was my cardiologist that told me to.

[secondtry in reply to wilsond]

Quite frustrating, you would think by now there should be a standard way of coming off the drug that everyone follows.

[secondtry]

I can quite understand your apprehension. I think the medics that suggest quitting 'cold turkey' should couple that advice with more explanation as to the science and why they think that method is best........or why the alternative quitting slowly over several months is not a good idea. I have not read enough on either option to decide myself and would love to know for next year when I plan to reduce from 200mgs/day.

In the absence of such information, you have to self medicate using common sense. I have not read about any proper research on this subject (as no doubt drug companies won't be commissioning this any time soon!). From limited comments here and knowing myself best incl Vagally Mediated AF, my first move would be reduce the first 100mgs very slowly over one year plus and the last 100mgs over half the first period. Good luck and do let us know how you get on.

[Bubbles70 in reply to secondtry]

The cardiologist doesn't think i have vtach. He said the flecanide can do more harm than good at this point. He's gonna do a monitor for 30 days and see what happens. I've been off the flecanide 3 days now and there are no palpitations or shortness of breath. I actually feel better without it.

[secondtry in reply to Bubbles70]

Brilliant, keep us posted.

[Tapanac]

I was told to wean off of them. Maybe cut in half every other day for a week, then half every day for a week, then every other day, etc. Good luck

[Nugger]

Me personally would do what he says, I don’t normally lol I always self medicate, most doctors treat every one the same & don’t appreciate that some of us have a brain & can figure out the appropriate dose.

As long as your insured & keep a check on your heart rate throughout the day, I can’t see a problem, although flecanide is a relatively safe drug, no drug is best. If I listened to the uk cardiologist I would be still taking 200mg amioderone, 5mg Bisoprolol & eliquis since July last year! The cardiologist in the USA would have had me on 50mg flecanide twice a day!