Flecainide

[Sarwags]

I have had about 5 episodes of afib now and I have been put in blood thinners and prescribed pill the pocket flecanide but I’ve never taken as I am scared of the possible side effects and thought I should have first dose with supervision ..has anyone got any experience of taking at home ..

[wilsond]

Who prescribed flecanide for you? The protocol is for it to be given under supervision I believe,and only if heart structure is good. I was on a maintainance dose and now only as required .

I would query this I think. Xx

[Sarwags in reply to wilsond]

Hi thanks for replying I was prescribed it by a cardiologist at the hospital after being told my heart is otherwise healthy no reason for afib and to just take the dose prescribed when I have another episode but so far I’ve just waited untill it goes back into rhythm..

[wilsond in reply to Sarwags]

That's great news that you were checked out properly first,that was my main concern.

Flecanide has worked very well for me as a pill in pocket. If I get an episode,Which I get less of nowadays,I wait 15-20 minutes...try drinking ice cold water etc..if it doesn't stop .100 mg flecanide and 1.5 bisoprolol straight away. Within half an hour...stops it. I take the bisoprolol as I also get Flutter at times..a type of arrthymia that does fast regular rythym instead of our crazy AFib!

I am glad to use this drug like this,prefer not to take drugs every day as I had to at the beginning of all this. However I had no side effects when I did ,so if I had to go back on,wouldn't worry too much.

Some people either dont find it works or get side effects,we are all different!

Hope this helps

Xx

[Sarwags in reply to wilsond]

Thank you it’s nice to hear from people who have the same ..makes me feel less anxious xx

[wilsond in reply to Sarwags]

You're welcome! X

[LaceyLady in reply to wilsond]

I was given Flecainaide and I’ve only had one episode, 50mg x2. I do have SVT also but surprised as some only have it in the pocket😳

[Robdev]

My AF recurred some years back when I was only on one half-securon per day, but since being put on aditional flecainide (50mg twice a day) several years ago (and a statin and anti-coagulant) it seems to be completely under control. Years back I had several really frightening and exhausting sessions where the palpitations and racing pulse went on for hours and resulted in hospitalization. For several years now not a peep, touch wood. I trust, as the other comment mentions , that you have it prescribed under proper medical control that has examined your case and history thoroughly. Check the side effect list and monitor yourself for them and get back to your doctor if any worries.

[Hidden]

I was the same it was in the cupboard for weeks, I need not have worried it was just fine and no AF !

Andy

[perkman]

I took it when in afib before ablation. Worked well for me and felt no side effects at all. It has been around for a long time and has a proven track record.

[pottypete1]

I take Flecainide daily nothing to be frightening of.

I also take it as a PIP and it is nearly always effective returning me to NSR within a matter of hours.

You mention “blood thinners” or anticoagulants to give them the correct term (THEY DO NOT THIN THE BLOOD).

Hopefully you have been given guidance as they are very important for the avoidance of stroke.

Pete

[Sarwags in reply to pottypete1]

Hi thanks for reply ..I take apixaban and keep the Flecainide to as PIP which havnt used yet x

[Thomas45]

I was prescribed regular Flecainide for 12 years. Started at 50mg twice a day. After 18 months I was on 150g twice a day. Before Flecainide I had long episodes of AF about 5 days a week. On Flecainide I had one or two episodes a year.

No side effects at all

After 12 years I was found to be in persistent asymptomatic AF. I am now in my 4th year of persistent AF. The only medication I have for it is an anticoagulant, as I had terrible but very rare side effects from beta blockers.

It's now 25 years since my first episode of AF.

[dmack4646]

Have used Flecanaide as pill in pocket and regularly with no issues for 10plus years

[secondtry]

The good news is that apparently Flecainide works best without side effects with Lone PAF on younger people....like you? However, I agree it would be safer to have the first dose under supervision, just in case you are a rare case which causes an issue.

The most important thing is that if you see any increase in your AF episodes you need to see your cardiologist asap (worth paying privately if you have to to get an earlier appointment) to go on regular Flec at a level that stops it dead with no more recurrences, as the more you have the more likely they will increase.

I was on Flec 100mgs per day and still had 9 episodes in a month, was offered ablation but elected to try a medium dose of 200mgs/day and that worked for 5 years. Incidentally, I wanted to use PIP but my cardiologist favours regular daily dose as the former he thinks is too much of a roller coaster for the heart, which I believe he thinks is not likely to help the condition. Hope something there helps.

[rosyG]

guidance is first dose in hospital but no-one keeps t this! I've been advised to turn up in A and E and then take it! Good to take a beata blocker with it, like WilsonD describes. Makes it safer!

[LaceyLady]

I’m on Bisoprolol and Flecainaide. I’ve had diagnosed SVT for around 7 years and this bout of AF just in May.

[thelark]

I have paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and was initially prescribed flecanide - not recommended! Had a sudden brief episode of tachycardia with it and was told I shouldn't have been prescribed it.

[Hidden]

Have been on flecainide, 200mg daily, for 34 years. I would rather take it routinely and not go into AF at all than use pill in the pocket and take it if I go into AF. I guess it depends if the PIP reverts the AF back to normal easily and quickly.