Flecainide long

[Euve]

Has anyone been on flecinide long term, I am currently on it post ablation and my EP says that the safety profile long-term is good I would like to receive some feedback on people who have been on it for a long period of time and if so any side effects or problems thank you so much Euve

[buddje]

Been on flec for 6 yrsNot much follow up but contact with EP by phone.

We talk more about covid than flec.

Bit tired sometimes but overweight so my problem to sort.

You ll be fine

[sleeksheep]

I was on 50mg x 2 for four and a half years before I went back into afib.

No problems .

Went on 100mg x 2 but it didnt work , I now just take a beta blocker as I,m asymptomatic when I started on flec I was symptomatic.

[captainKFF in reply to sleeksheep]

Hi, what was your heart rate when you were symptomatic and when you becameasymptomstic after stopping flecainide ?

[sleeksheep in reply to captainKFF]

Before I was diagnosed ( 2009? ) it was low 50s bpm and I was easily tired and took afternoon naps. I was then put on Sotalol which put my bpm down to high 40s , very lethargic and took afternoon naps.

Flecainide was brilliant - heart rate high 50s , no tiredness , felt totally normal.

When Flec. stopped working my heart rate stayed in the 60s/70s and I still felt normal.

I still have afib but besides me writing that down I wouldn't know I have it.

[CDreamer]

By long term? 6 months, 12 months - forever?

I was monitored carefully on Flecainide - ECGs & bloods so as long as monitoring in place and if it is working for you.

What was the reasoning for continuing Flecainide after ablation?

Not a drug I would want to be on prophylactically for more than 6-12months but everyone reacts differently.

[Angie06]

Hi I've been on Flecainide 50mgx2 daily for 12yrs now, since being diagnosed in hospital after my first AF episode.I've not actually had another episode since then but very aware of my irregular heartbeat and occasional bouts of ectopics. As I don't have any other heart problems I don't have an EP and as far as I know, no side effects either.

😀

[Bob56]

Hi I’ve been taking Flecainide off and on for more than 25 years now, although post ablation I’m now on a relatively low dose of 50mg daily. Of course I would prefer not to take it, nor the small dose of beta blocker which goes with it, but I’ve had no side effects and alongside the good work done by the ablation it has kept me relatively AF free now for a long time. It didn’t stop me needing the ablation as my AF was progressive but it has been a “friend” to me and my doctor is happy for me to continue on it. Having read threads on Flecainide use over the years, it seems to suit the majority of those who take it, but undoubtedly not everyone. In that respect it’s no different to many of the medications discussed on the forum.

[Snookersteve in reply to Bob56]

Hi Bob, could you please confirm that you are on 50mg daily and not 50mg twice daily. I thought 50mg twice daily was the lowest dose but would be interested in lowering my dose to 50mg once daily if this is a dosage that is prescribed? Steve

[Bob56 in reply to Snookersteve]

Hi Steve, I think 50mg twice daily is normally the lowest dose, but in discussions with my doctor we decided I was half way between needing the minimum dose or just carrying Flecainide as a PIP. We therefore settled on one 50 mg dose, in the morning to give me some low level protection. I don't have any issues overnight with AF, always during the day time, so it's there just to give me a little extra security. I have "permission" to take a second one at night if I need to for any reason. For me it's about reading your own body, coupled with a sense of your own well being. Personally, I don't want to go into AF and then have to take the Flecainide to correct it, even if this is quite rare these days. I prefer to have the smaller regular dose, and it seems to work very well for me. I should say that pre ablation Flecainide had worked really well for many years, but eventually it stopped correcting the AF, and my episodes became too frequent. The ablation effectively reset my heart, and the Flecainide now works very well again. It could be that over time the effectiveness drops again, but 6 years on, so far so good!I hope that helps a bit ! Bob

[Snookersteve in reply to Bob56]

Thanks for your reply Bob. That is very interesting. I feel as though I would prefer to come off flecainide when appropriate but taking one 50mg pill a day would be a good compromise. Like you say having another tablet as a PIP sounds a really good idea. I'll mention it to my consultant next time I see him and see if he feels it is a possible way forward in my case. Thanks Steve

[Bob56 in reply to Snookersteve]

Hi Steve, just one thing to add, I think you will find that the usual one off PIP dose is usually higher eg 100mg, or maybe more, as I was told that once you are in AF, the larger dose is needed to shift it. Good luck!

[Snookersteve in reply to Bob56]

Thanks Bob that's useful to know. Good luck to you too!

[pottypete1]

I have been on Flecainide for more than 30 years. I am unaware of any side effects.

Hope that gives you reassurance.

Pete

[Brenda-j]

I have been on Flecainide for 12 years. Before my ablation I gradually went up to 150 twice a day. After ablation 3.5 years ago I am taking 50mg. I have had no problems

[secondtry]

I have used Flec (200mgs/day) for 7yrs, no other drugs, no problems. I would urge you not to rely on it and make Lifestyle changes as well.

[Aus19]

Similar experience to other posters here. I've been on Flec for 2 years - a few minor issues when I started it (a sort of visual migraine), but these resolved in about 2 months. No other side effects. I also take atenolol once a day to modulate the effects of the Flec (I think that is not uncommon).

[Finvola]

I have been taking 200mg Flecainide for 7 years with no AF but the odd short run of AFlutter. As secondtry says, lifestyle changes are essential to get full advantage from the therapy. I am monitored by my cardiologist every 6 months.

[Pita]

I have been on Flecainide for over 11 years now, no problems with it taking it all this time, I also take Tildiem (CCB) for rate control.

[nikonBlue]

Been on it for about 6 years and although I do still have episodes it would seem the flecainide is OK. When I get a bad day and need to take an extra dose it usually works within a couple of hours but I now know it will take that long to calm it all down. Hope all goes well for you!Blue 😊

[nikonBlue]

By the way I take 150mg morning and again in the evening. Forgot to say that!! 🙄.Blue

[dedeottie]

I was on flecanide for about 5 years and all was well. I went for an exercise stress test every year to see if the flecanide was causing any unwanted arrhythmia s during exercise and ultimately pro arrhythmia was detected so I had to go on a different medication. So, I would say it is safe long term as long as you are given an exercise stress test at regular intervals. Hope that helps. X

[Snowgirl65]

Hello Euve -- I was on Flecainide for 5 years before a big change in meds when my a-fib came back with a vengeance. That was about a year ago; I've since changed EPs and had an ablation. The only side-effect I had from Flecainide was weight gain. And I couldn't lose the weight no matter what diet or exercise I tried. After I stopped the medication, my weight dropped dramatically without even trying. Others don't have that side effect. We're all different, I guess. I hope this helps.

[Jumper]

I took it for some 8 years prior to an ablation. I suffered from increasing neuoropathy after around year 7 starting in my feet working up to my knees before extending into hands and face. After extensive elimination tests including brain scan and electroconductive tests the neuropathy was put down to Flecainide . Dose reduction from 2*100mg/day to 2*50mg/day reduced the symptoms but exacerbated my AF so ablation followed. Now only take Flecainide as PIP and symptoms have disappeared. I was informed that many drugs may induce similar symptoms but only rarely and generally only after long term use.

[starry-eyes]

Been on it 4 years and brother much longer. Neither of us have side effects.