Flecainide

[Tapanac]

Just a little question. Hs anyone on flecainide noticed a weight gain? I have been on them for about a month and noticeably gained weight. What with lockdown and pills, I don’t want to turn into mitchelin man as well as having this horrible Afib/tachycardia.

[Cozzie99]

I went on it for 3 months. I am 59 and 95kg. I did 't notice much of a change in weight.

[Tapanac in reply to Cozzie99]

Oh thank you. I must try hard to lose then. I've never had to worry about my weight before so finding my clothes don't fit is so frustrating (and ugly).

[secondtry]

None here, been on it for 7 years.

[Tapanac in reply to secondtry]

Oh, must be me then. Thank you

[HiloHairy]

Figuring out a way to stay active or if you haven't previously done so, learning to be active during this terrible time is the answer.

I don't know where you live but in the US at least, many of the insurance companies are now offering free gym memberships through a plan called Active and Fit if you're under 65 or Silver and Fit if you're over.

After gaining a bunch of weight from quitting smoking this helped me to lose 65 lb and go from a 42 inch waist to a 33.

[Tapanac in reply to HiloHairy]

Crumbs well done. Both my husband and I have been in the shielded category so we haven't left the house much other than a stroll up the road and speaking to friends and neighbours from a distance. He is 79 and I am 77 so the thought of going to a gym is a bit daunting. I will have to stop baking and eating out of boredom as I have had a reply from Brenda-j saying that she has been on flecainide for 14 years and not noticed a difference in her weight. Thank you for replying.

[Brenda-j]

I have been on it for 14 years and have never had a problem

[Tapanac in reply to Brenda-j]

Oh dear, it must be me then. I'll have to stop baking.....

Thank you for replying x

[captainKFF in reply to Brenda-j]

Hi, can you please share how many times and mg a day of flecainide are you on?

[Tapanac in reply to captainKFF]

50 mgs twice a day. When the hospital were trying to regularise my heart beat as had massive tachycardia as well as the Afib I was having 4 a day,plus they kept giving me 5mgs in what seemed like every 2 hours although I might be mistaken on that timing. I had had 2 cardioversion which hadn’t worked and now I’m waiting for a left atrial/complex tachycardia ablation

[Brenda-j in reply to captainKFF]

I started low 50mg twice a-day 14 years ago but gradually increased over the years to 150 twice a day as AF got worse. 3.5 years ago I had an ablation which was successful but as I had a slight flutter occasionally i was put on 50mg twice a day. I am also on low dose of Verapamil which they seem to like you to take with Flecainide. I have had no problems but some people do.

It definitely hasn’t made me put any weight on but we are all different.

[Tapanac in reply to Brenda-j]

I’m glad you are ok after your ablation despite still having to take tablets. So apart from the pain of putting on weight when I’ve never had a problem that way, I also was worried that the hospital didn’t want me to take flecainide as it could cause a different type of arrhythmia, but so many people on here seem to have been taking it for a long while and no problems perhaps I’m thinking too much.

Again thank you for writing to me

[captainKFF in reply to Brenda-j]

Sorry the question was to Brenda -j

Could please share what is your daily dose of flecainide?

[Paulbounce]

Hi Tap.

No major problems but I did notice a little weight gain when I started on Flec. However it's most likey down to coincidence rather than the drug itself.

I have been on it for a while now (and if anything) I have lost weight. I have cut down on my meals though so this could be the answer.

I think you will be fine. If you enjoy baking then why stop ? I think afib should not ban us from doing everything we enjoy. Don't stop baking but certainly be careful about your diet.

I hope that helps.

Paul

PS if you send have any spare cake post it to me and I'll help out heheh

[Tapanac in reply to Paulbounce]

Hee Hee just made another one Paul. In the freezer now a fruit cake, a chocolate cake, now cooking in oven a ginger and honey sponge. Yes I’ll post you some - could arrive in crumbs though!!!!

[Paulbounce]

Enjoy

Paul

[Snowgirl65]

Absolutely YES. I didn't turn into the Michellin Man (or rather woman), but found it was nearly impossible to lose the extra weight I gained from Flecainide, despite dieting and exercise. It wasn't until my ablation and change in meds did I suddenly lose over 20 lbs. with no effort whatsoever. I was 142 lbs. on Flec. and I'm at 120 lbs. now which hasn't fluctuated. My suggestion is to try to not indulge in high fat foods, but if you do, then eat less the next day to compensate. Good luck!

[Tapanac in reply to Snowgirl65]

Goodness well done in losing the weight even though you didn’t try. Was it definitely the flecainide that put it on as a few people said they had no change in their weight with it? Was there a big change in meds after your ablation then? Hopefully when I have my ablation it might go 🤞

Thank you for your reply

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Tapanac]

I feel the weight gain was definitely from the Flecainide, as it also caused eye problems (i.e. blurriness in peripheral vision about an hour after taking it each day). That too disappeared when I quite the medication. My new regimen is dofetilide (tikisyn), metroprolol succinate, and digoxin. I wish you well!

[Tapanac in reply to Snowgirl65]

Oh what a coincidence, I have been saying to my husband that I need to go to the opticians as my eyes feel blurry. Thank you for writing to me x

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Tapanac]

I wish you well!

[Tapanac in reply to Snowgirl65]

Thank you, and wish you well too x

[Gillybean123]

I too put the weight on. I also have the white lights in my eyes like a photo is being taken. I do slimming world to the ticket:and really struggle to lose any weight. I am on flecanide 200 mg a day and the pill in the pocket. But my specialist said it is more likely to be the bisoprolol. when I tried to reduce them I started getting ectopic heart beats and palpitations. I tried amiodarone a few years back and it was amazing but you can’t stay on it long term and I am 70 and I think age does come into it. Never mind. All keep well. Xx

[Tapanac in reply to Gillybean123]

It seems as if you might be on a high dose of bisoprolol??? Annoying about the weight isn’t it and I have only been putting it on since taking flecainide but it does help. As a friend said to me weight -v- afib/tachycardia. No contest I guess!

Stay well and all the best

[Gillybean123]

Hi, I’m on 10.M G of bisoprolol. They tried to reduce it but then I started having ectopic heartbeats. Ah well. I have left a message with my specialist to see if I can try another one x

[Tapanac in reply to Gillybean123]

I’ve heard on here that nevibolol (spelling?) is supposed to be good. Good luck xx

[Hidden in reply to Gillybean123]

I was on Bisoprolol but asked to change to Nebivolol which many here said had fewer side effects, and it has suited me better. It’s more expensive but the 5mg size can be quartered which makes it more affordable at low dose.

[Tapanac in reply to Hidden]

Aaah I thought I had spelled it incorrectly!!!! Yes I’ve heard a lot of good reports about Nebivolol. One or two people did mention that their BP had raised a little, but not worrying, but the advantage was that they didn’t feel so sluggish and didn’t put on weight. I personally have been on a low dose bisoprolol (1.25 mgs) for years and didn’t affect my weight UNTIL I was put on flecainide.

[Gillybean123 in reply to Hidden]

Hi there, I ha e been onto my specialist today, am waiting for a reply. Will let you know.thanks.