High heart rate with Flexanide?

[1758]

AF and SVT’s for over 7 years. One ablation and pacemaker 5 years ago. Second ablation scheduled for early January. EP just started me on flecanide, 50mg/twice daily, in combination with metaprolol 25mg/twice daily. Since then, my resting heart rate has been around 110. Has anyone else had this issue with flexanide? (Didn’t have a problem with high rate when solely on beta blockers)

Thanks!

[Singwell]

Hello. My understanding from my EP and this forum is that it can happen. Many seem to take Flecainide in combination with Bisoprolol. I take mine with Tildiem for my BP, which I was told us complementary therapies my Flecainide as it also helps to keep the HR low. 110 seems a bit high, I would ring for advice as soon as you can.

[1758 in reply to Singwell]

Thank you! I will ask about those combinations when I speak to the nurse.

[jeanjeannie50]

Flecainide has been known to cause atrial flutter. When did you start on this drug as its usual to have an ECG a few days after starting it for the first time? I would call and speak to your EP.

Jean

[1758 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you. I only started a few days ago so was also thinking that I might need time to adjust. Interesting that my heart rate is normal right now, ( 13 hours after my last dose) and was normal before I took my morning dose yesterday. Not really sure why he started me on this so close to my ablation, as the beta blockers seemed were doing OK, but didn’t think to ask at the time of the appt.🙄Thanks again for responding!

[Barb1]

I have just started on flecainide before my next ablation in January. My resting heart rate is in the low hundreds. I was under the impression that it would help to slow this not raise it!

[1758 in reply to Barb1]

Hi Barb!Good luck with your ablation.

My second ablation is also in early January. My EP also started me on flecainide in December, and what followed was a resting heart rate in the low 100’s. He stopped the flecainide, and I am only on 50mg metoprolol succinate, and 50 mg metoprolol tartrate, plus Xarelto until the procedure. Hopefully, I can go off meds sometime post ablation.

[Barb1 in reply to 1758]

Sadly COVID has now put my ablation on hold again, (last times March and July) so I am off the Flecainide.

[1758 in reply to Barb1]

Sorry about the delay Barb,What did they replace the flecainide with? I am still scheduled for Jan 6, and am quite anxious, so looking forward to getting this behind me. Best to you!

[Barb1 in reply to 1758]

Nothing. I was taking it for 2 weeks before ablation and then for unspecified time after. As my ablation has been postponed (we are in tier 4) I was told to stop taking it.