Flecanaide and Metoprolol

[Canada01]

My medication is being changed from Amiodarone 200mg and Metoprolol 50mg x3 a day to Flecanaide 50mg x2 a day and reduce Metoprolol to 25mg x3 a day. I am just worried about getting used to a new drug regimes side effects as i am finally back at work and functioning well apart from a couple of fast af runs my EP stopped amiodarone in November. What are peoples experiences of Flecanaide please x

[Jayann22]

I started flecainide a few weeks ago and I’m really happy with it - no side effects at all and it’s made me feel normal again - just had my dose upped today as had breakthrough atrial flutter so just trying to get the right level to stay on top of things - but it works and I am so grateful I have been able to lead an almost normal life as the afib and a flutter is so debilitating. I’m hoping it will keep me going until I get my first ablation which is likely a lengthy wait at mo

[Canada01 in reply to Jayann22]

Thanks Jayann I have had 2 ablations over the last year but still having problems just gone into af now so i think i will start the flecanaide

[Karendeena in reply to Jayann22]

Flecainide worked for me for 2 months and then I started having other arrhythmias every week. I have changed to sotalol twice a day and that seems to be ok so far

[jeanjeannie50]

Flecaininde has been the most effective drug I've ever taken for my AF - like a miracle pill as far as I'm concerned.

[Canada01 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you x

[sdweller in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Been that for me also...how long have you been taking it?

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to sdweller]

At least 5 years, I guess.

[Sunny-fl]

I have had good luck with flecainide. One year and a half with no afib.

[Canada01 in reply to Sunny-fl]

Thank you x

[Dichdigger]

Flecainide 50mg, twice daily works for me. My EP prescribed me Metropolol 50mg once daily, over 3 months ago. I’ve never taken it. My AF is related to irritation of my Vagus nerve. I’m going to continue seeing my chiropractor, and possibly a neurologist, if needed. And I still need to lose weight! I’m not even sure if the Flecainide makes a difference for me. When the time is right, I plan to ween myself off of it.

[Canada01 in reply to Dichdigger]

Thanks for that, I started taking Flec50mg and 25mg Met last night so fingers crossed it helps

[Profound15]

I started on 50mg flec twice a day and 1.25mg bisoprolol in early December. Have to say it’s been good so far keeping afib at bay and significantly reducing my ectopics. No side effects at all. Long may it continue

[Canada01 in reply to Profound15]

🙂

[Karendeena in reply to Profound15]

It worked a dream for me for 2 months continuously and then pro-arrythmias stated and I was having fast af episodes every week.

[Angie06]

I've been taking flecainide twice daily for 12yrs and only had one other AF moment since then. It definitely works for me, I still have occasional ectopics and hot flushes but not sure this is caused by the flecainide.

[Canada01 in reply to Angie06]

🙂

[The_Lord_is_with_Us in reply to Angie06]

12 years! .... that's great. A run like that should give plenty of inspiration to others who are thinking longterm Flecainide treatment. May you have many more years . . .

[irene75359]

I use flecainide as a PiP, have never had any problems whatsoever and it has always worked for me.

[Restcfo1 in reply to irene75359]

I agree with Irene. I use it has a PIP and has worked great any time I have had an Afib episode. I am a big fan.

[Sally_Scott]

Count yourself very lucky that you have been taken off Amiodarone “this drug should be the drug of last resort due to its toxicity under European Society of Cardiology Protocols”. Flecanide is a far better drug good luck b

[Canada01 in reply to Sally_Scott]

Thanks Sally i know i was on it for 9 months i feel so much better coming off it apart from AF episodes x

[Slidingdoors99 in reply to Sally_Scott]

I know... I’m have been put on it but I’m worried..

[Golfnut46]

Agree strongly with Sally_Scott, Amiodarone is a great drug of last resort, when all else fails, but it is very tough on your body with numerous very serious side effects. IMO it should not be for long term usage. I am on 100 Mg. of Flecanide 2 x day plus 100 Mg. Met. with no side effects and has prevented reoccurrence of AF now for 18 months.

[Albobaggins]

I've had 3 ablutions now and have been on 100mg flecainide twice daily and 10mg bisoprolol once a day since the last 18mths procedure. It keeps my symptoms in check with zero side effects.

[Canada01 in reply to Albobaggins]

find it hard having to take the flec on an empty stomach am is ok but pm harder

[Geonome in reply to Canada01]

I take flecainide 2x/day, with or without food. Food doesn't seem to make any difference.

[Albobaggins in reply to Canada01]

I tend to take it before and after food and have not noticed any appreciable difference TBH.

[Karendeena]

I had yo come off flecainide as it caused more arrhythmias with me. I then went privately to see an EP and he told me that wouldn't be the first drug of choice he would prescribe for me and changed it to Sotalol twice per day. Seems to be ok, got another appointment on 8th Feb so I will see what he says then.

[Canada01 in reply to Karendeena]

i was on sotolol for years until it stopped working for me, f flecanaide doesnt work my EP has suggested pace and ablate

[Albobaggins in reply to Karendeena]

Sotalol is their 'go to' drug of choice I've been told numerous times by various EP's. Never worked for me.

[Canada01 in reply to Albobaggins]

it seemed to work for me but didnt last long

[The_Lord_is_with_Us]

I've had 4 ablations. I've used Flecainide as pill-in-the-pocket a half dozen times to cardiovert AFIB to normal within 20 minutes. This kept me from going to Emergency to convert, which cost me time, money, and stress.

I also took it recently 50mg twice a day (lowest dosage) for 4 months or so when my AFIB returned after 10 years of normal rhythm. I had my 4th ablation on OCT 23, 2020 and discontinued Flecainide around Christmas. Have been AFIB free since.

Thoughts on that: it took 3 weeks until full efficacy. It did not seem to work for a couple of weeks. Then, near week 3, heart smoothed out and no AFIB while taking. So ... give it a month to kick in.

The little white pill is quite 'caustic'. Recommend taking at least a full glass of water every time you ingest . . . and stay hydrated throughout the day.

Taking it early on (when it wasn't working), I asked the Cardiologist if I should up the dose. He said, "Not yet. It has 'nasty' side effects. Keep on this lowest dose and let's see what happens."

I know other arrhythmia meds have worse side effects. Low-dose Flecainide seemed to be quite effective for me ... and I did not have any side effects. The Cardiology nurse explained to me that they have many patients who have been managing their AFIB for years successfully by only taking Flecainide.

Hope this information helps you . . .

[Canada01 in reply to The_Lord_is_with_Us]

Thank you i find your comments really useful 🙂

[ColbyLH]

I have been on Flecainide 50mg x 2 for 4 years now...Didn’t have AF bit DID have 27000 pvcs per day...cardiologist tried metoprolol and 2 other drugs (can’t remember which) but had several side effects - and he moved me to the above Flecainide dose..within a week, went to 200 pvcs and in two weeks...down to 18!! It worked amazingly well with no apparent side effects except for a bit of dizziness/light-headedness. Over time and into my 2nd and third year, I have several concerning side effects including more significant dizziness, tiredness, numbness in hands and feet, visual disturbances, and memory issues, along with some GI issues...and muscularTears in legs...Most

Of these issues are

Listed on the warnings/contraindications aspects of this drug as it is Classified as a BLACK BOx drug...extremely toxic...I have talked to two cardiologists who said,...just STOP using it and see

If the pvcs come back and if they do, take a pill! I am afraid do that as all the warnings say NOT to...I have started

Trying titration to a 50mg/AM and 25mg/pm and so far no pvcs, but...I wonder if anyone else has tried to titrate down...I am

Wondering also if

Those on it,

Especially those on higher doses,

Are experiencing any of

The above issues? If

I had to do it over I would have tried to reduce stress, get more

Sleep and improve other health indicators

Before

Taking this drug...probably all of

The heart drugs have issues but

This one has a particularly scary set of

warnings...

[Diver2]

It’s good you are getting off amioderone. Too many bad side effects. Flecanaide didn’t give me any side effects. And I felt good.

[Canada01 in reply to Diver2]

Thanks

[cuore]

After my second ablation, I felt the Amiodarone was contributing to going into AF. As soon as I started Flecainide, I stayed in sinus for 5 months, but I had to have a third ablation to remain in rhythm. I was placed on 25 Metoprolol by GP when first diagnosed. I could not tolerate it at all and refused to take it.

Based on your treatment regime, it sounds as if you live around Toronto and not in British Columbia.

[Canada01 in reply to cuore]

it is reassuring that your experience is similar to mine. I too have issues with metoprolol but dont know what else they can give me now. thank youSorry i am from Liverpool UK my family are Canadian living in Alberta but i have spent a lot of time there its like my second home x

[cuore in reply to Canada01]

Alberta, our oil fields. It's always in the news.

[Bagrat]

Started flecainide 2011. One episode in 2013 as a result of a nasty virus(!). No obvious episodes since. A few years ago dose reduced to 50 mg twice a day. Still no obvious episodes. Still on anticoagulant anyway.

[Canada01 in reply to Bagrat]

I am glad it has worked for you very encouraging thank you

[Magson]

I was taking Flecainide twice daily for about 4 years. Plus 1.25mg Bisopropol . Neither of them did me any good. AF progressed to the point where I experienced episodes twice a week lasting minimum 24 hours.Ablation late 2018 and dumped both drugs. Best thing for me. These drugs work wonders for many AF sufferers but not for everyone. AF is a complex issue and there seems to be no cure only improvement of quality of life. Once you accept this you can move forwards. Good luck going ahead.

[Canada01 in reply to Magson]

thank you for sharing your experiences its true what you say AF is a very complex condition. A better quality of life is what i am hoping for

[Karendeena in reply to Magson]

Same here, was ok on Flec for 2 months then had episodes every week!

[sdweller]

I've been on it for over 6 months...no side effects at all, and the heart has been PERFECT.

[Canada01 in reply to sdweller]

sounds good 🙂