Side Effects of Flecainide

[cgregg718]

Has anyone experienced blurred vision with Flecainide? My mother is on it and saw that as a possible side effect. She has not experienced it but was wondering if anyone out here has.

[jeanjeannie50]

Certainly in my early days of taking Flecainide my eyesight was a little blurred at times, but once my body got used to it I've been fine. I've lost count of how many years I've been taking it now.

[cgregg718 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you!

[Hidden]

Over the years I have taken it as a regular maintenance dose (50 mg x 2 per day) and occasional as a PiP (300 mg). Side effects generally minimal, occasional slight constipation and sometimes a dry, tingling sensation on the lips when taken as a PiP. Of course, we are all different!

[dedeottie]

Not blurred but altered vision when going from light to dark or vice versa. X

[Sfhmgusa]

When I first took flecainide I had blurry vision a few times, but it stopped after a couple of months

[pottypete1]

Whilst listed side effects may be associated with a particular medication it is difficult to prove any specific connection.

I take Flecainide and get blurred vision sometimes. I have eye tests regularly and my optician, who is very good, has never identified any problems apart from age related cataracts.

Pete

[Dizzyspells]

I have recently had my Flecainide dosage decreased to 50mg twice daily in hope of ceasing it all together if all goes wellSince the decrease I am definitely feeling a lot better, less dizziness, body weakness much better

I was having some blurred vision with the higher dose but it has stopped now

[Snowgirl65]

Oh yes, in a big way!!! When I was on Flecainide, after the first hour of taking it each day, my peripheral vision would be blurry. It didn't cause any distress, but was noticeable.

[sdweller]

I had some minor side effects when I first started taking it...vision & a small amount of lethargy. I'm on 50mg x 2 times a day. But now I do not notice anymore, I feel good and normal. For me, bottom line, Flec = no afib....so even if I did still feel those minor side effects I would NOT give up the Flec...it has given me my life back!

[cgregg718]

Thank you everyone!

[cgregg718]

Does anyone take Metaprol with Flecainide? Or another beta blocker?

[wilsond in reply to cgregg718]

If you are on Flecanide you are strongly advised to be on a betablocker . Otherwise it can cause other arrthymia to form such as Atrial Flutter, speaking from experience!

[Visitingcat]

I’ve only just seen your question, sorry for the late reply. I definitely had this, varying times after my morning 50mg dose I would get varying degrees of blurring. My EP took me off isosobide dinitrate while this was happening and it stopped. I was so pleased and then after about four days it came back. I don’t drive but it could have been a problem if I had as some days it was quite bad with double vision when reading.

I wanted to go for an eye test so I could check with an optician but was scared because of Covid, I waited till a few weeks after my first jab and went in, had a great appointment with lots of questions answered regarding the cataract I have forming among others. He said as long as it was only for a shortish time each day he was not worried it was just one of those things you get with drugs. I had the extra tests where they check the back of your eye and they were fine.

Just before I saw him I had mentioned it to my GP and she wrote to the EP

he swapped the flecainade for propafenone, the blurring stopped then after about a week back it came, sigh.....

Propafenone has virtually the same side effect list as flecainade.

I’m giving it a good try before mentioning it to gp again as I’m also having bad gut symptoms varying between constipation and diarrhoea which are not as bad with propafenone but I was on flecainade for a while before this started happening so I’m not holding my hopes up.

I’m also on a cocktail of statins, blood pressure, bisoprolol and apixaban so it could be a mix of these, stopping my magnesium was no help at all. I am weary of all these drugs but even more scared of Afib coming back so will plod on with them.

[Slocombe]

Blurred vision, dizziness and an overwhelming feeling of sadness. Managed three months before GP stopped it. Also made palpitations worse. Much better without it. Just take Tildiem and Apixaban now.

[cgregg718]

My mom was wondering what beta blocker most of you use with Flecainide? Thanks for your help.

[wilsond]

Seems Bisoprolol is most commonly prescribed but not everyone is suited to it. Nevibolol is better for people with lung issues I believe.Her Dr will advise of course x