Adjusting to flecainide

[Tux18]

To those of you who take flecainide I am wondering how long it took you to adjust to taking it? A few months ago I tried it for 10 days and felt very tired, weak, and not as alert as normal. Due to the fact that my afib is becoming more frequent I’m thinking I might try taking it again. If I thought that after two or three weeks I would feel more “normal “ then I could probably stick with it.

[sleeksheep]

I was on the 50mg x 2 dose and had to be on 25mg x 2 for two weeks and gradually worked up to the 50mg x 2 over the next two weeks - so it took approx. four weeks for them to not create side effects over all. My GP in consultation with my cardiologist said this was the least upsetting way to begin taking them.

[Tux18 in reply to sleeksheep]

I was attempting to take 50 mg twice a day. When I told the physician assistant for my EP how poorly I felt on it they did not suggest dropping the dosage to 25 mg, but that makes sense. Thank you so much for your reply.

[sleeksheep in reply to Tux18]

I think I had three doses before the nausea was too much for me , thats when I consulted my GP.

[Tux18 in reply to sleeksheep]

Very good information. I’ll talk to my EP as he has not has not suggested this

[Singwell]

I switched 8 months ago from Bisoprolol to 2x 50mg Flecainide. Initially I felt dizzy and nauseous but it was only for about 3 days and intermittent. Although I tend to get episodes about every two months I still prefer this drug. I've more energy generally (beta blockers make me lethargic and upset my digestion) and the side effects stopped pretty quickly. My EP did say that for me it was important to take Flecainide with my calcium channel blocker - Tildiem - for BP to keep my heart rate from racing. It does seem to work - I can walk.fast and jog a little to get my BPM up to 120 without any issues and it all comes down again nicely. I couldn't do that on the BBs.

[Tux18 in reply to Singwell]

Thank you for your reply as it is helpful. I was also taking a beta blocker and I tried the flecainide. I’m a go forward again It is great to hear how well it’s working for you.

[Finvola]

I started on 2 x 100mg Flecainide and felt no side effects, except for my own nervousness at taking such a potent drug. That was over six years ago and I've had no AF since.

It might be an idea to run your concerns past your doc.

[Tux18 in reply to Finvola]

It’s encouraging to hear that it has been so helpful for you thank you for your reply

[Barb1 in reply to Finvola]

Finvola, were you in AF when you started taking it?

[Finvola in reply to Barb1]

Not on that first day but I had been having very frequent, nasty episodes - as I remember it was a few days after the last one that I started Flecainide.

[Tux18 in reply to Barb1]

No I have paroxysmal AF.

[Paulbounce]

I started on 50mg twice a day which was upped to 100mg twice a day. I think it can take your body a few weeks or more to adjust.

Sleeksheep wrote

"I was on the 50mg x 2 dose and had to be on 25mg x 2 for two weeks and gradually worked up to the 50mg x 2 over the next two weeks"

Maybe it would be worth talking to your doctor about starting on a 25mg dose for a few weeks and then increasing it ?

I have to say personally that flec is very effective (for me) and keeps afib at bay.

Paul

[Tux18 in reply to Paulbounce]

Thank you for your reply. My doctor did say it would take a couple of weeks I didn’t quite make it that long as I did not feel well .

[Frances123]

I was given my first dose in hospital intravenously 16/17 years ago under the watchful eye of the nurses. No I’ll effects so was discharged with 2x50mg tablets daily. Cardiologist told me I may or may not feel a bit unwell for a couple of weeks but if I did to stick with it and should then be ok. Oh he was true to his word. Was a really rough couple of weeks but since then have been absolutely fine. If I hadn’t had been warned then I may well have stopped them after a few days as it wasn’t nice. Take care

Frances x

[Tux18 in reply to Frances123]

I’m thinking I’ll try it again especially hearing from others like you who took a while to adjust. Thank you for responding

[MS444]

It didn’t work for me and I had an ablation. No side effects, but I still got PAF. It worked best when I only took 25mg twice a day. If I took 100mg twice a day after a few days I got PAF anyway. With 25mg twice a day I lasted up to a month between episodes. So reducing the dose worked for me

[Tux18 in reply to MS444]

Very interesting and helpful as I believe I had a sip also during the time I was taking it which made it more discouraging. Thank you for your information most helpful

[geepo1]

Check with your cardiologist, I found although Flecainide stopped a bad attack I actually had more attacks . This is a side effect.