Flecainide - long term use

[Montsauton]

Hello, I have been on Flecainide for about six months and it has worked very well. I was just wondering what is the maximum length of time one can stay on this drug. What are other people's experiences? Can this be for life?

Thanks

[BobD Volunteer]

For many it is. An ablation may enable stopping it for a period of time but there is little evidence to say it will not come back one day.

[bonnie54]

Flecainide left me housebound so I gave up before two weeks were up. But fortunately my 2009 ablation was successful so have not needed any drugs since.

[stoneyrosed in reply to bonnie54]

12 yrs AF free is brilliant. That’s what I call a successful ablation 👍

[bonnie54 in reply to stoneyrosed]

Yes, I mention it now and then on here to give people hope. Otherwise, only people still having problems tend to post.

[stoneyrosed in reply to bonnie54]

That’s great, it looks like I am going to need a second ablation and I am clinging to the hope it will be my last and will last as long as yours Bonnie, thanks 🤞

[bonnie54 in reply to stoneyrosed]

Best of luck.

[lizzily]

I’ve been taking 50mgs twice daily with 1.25mgs Bisopralol daily, for 9 years and it’s been a God send. I have an annual ECG and no obvious side effects so far. 🤞

[Angie06]

Hi, I've been taking 50mg x2 daily for 15yrs now with no ill effects that I've noticed. When I was diagnosed I was told it would probably be for life and this seems to be the case, but as my AF has been mainly asymptomatic (apart from 2 episodes) I'm happy to continue with it. 😀

[secondtry]

When I was put on 200mgs Flecainide I was determined to wean off it after 6 months. However, that time limit passed without the courage to slowly wean off and now I am up to 8 years. I think one member here holds the record of over 30years!! The ironic situation is the healthier you become and the longer you are on it the less likely you are to stop taking it (for fear of rocking the boat). The hardest lesson to accept for most with AF is compromise.

[Pita]

I have been taking Flecainide for over 11 years now, first I was on 100mg twice daily, now I take 50mg twice daily with the option of 100mg pip since my 2nd ablation in 2010, I do have AF break throughs but are short lived now (I am symptomatic )

[Finvola]

I've been taking Flecainide for over 7 years and have had no AF in that time. Flec gave me back my life and I hope to stay on it for my remaining years.

[Montsauton]

Many thanks for those very reassuring posts.