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Atrial Fibrillation Support

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Concerned 😂

1Pompey1 profile image
13 Replies

Hi I’ve just been prescribed flec 50 mg 2 a day, would I be able to drink alcohol.. I don’t mean a mass session.. just a sociable drink on a weekend.. thanks in advance 👍👍 I’m not taking any other meds.

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1Pompey1 profile image
1Pompey1
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13 Replies
BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Whilst there may not be any contra indication regardling flecainide, alcohol and AF are never good bed fellows so best avoid in any case.

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

Alcohol can be a trigger for some whilst others get away with the very occasional small glass. I found certain alcoholic drinks really set me off whilst others don’t so I can get away with a small glass of white wine spritzer (with soda water not lemonade as the sugar in lemonade would be as bad) with a meal but my system won’t tolerate red wine or beer or any spirits. It’s spin the wheel and see where the pointer goes but really would advice caution.

Boyatthood profile image
Boyatthood

I am on a similar low dose of flec and drink with it but I find its about listening to your body and learning what you will tolerate. Unfortunately for some people that's zero and that's the mantra from many on this forum. My heavy drinking days are over (not a bad thing) but I can enjoy a couple of pints or a glass a wine quite happily. If you are a beer drinker look at the abv and have cask over keg. Drinking water with or after alcohol is helpful, I always try to leave an hour to digest before going to bed too.

PT123 profile image
PT123

I was on the same dose for 18 months and no issues drinking. I’ve now had an ablation and hopefully it’s worked, but I still carry them as a pill in the pocket. No issues when drinking … enjoy

PT123 profile image
PT123

You have to live your life and not In fear.

Guitar335 profile image
Guitar335

Alcohol is trigger for me. Beer though is safer than wine due to the electrolytes according to a study done.Caution though is the key.

secondtry profile image
secondtry

I would get your AF episodes down to zero first, then slowly try out a half pint. Take care with very cold drinks and quinine in tonic water. It can be very hard to find a non-alcoholic drink in a pub that is not loaded with sugar; I tend to have a tomato juice. At home I drink daily 2 pints of weak Ribena (no added sugar) with fresh lemon juice, which tastes better and seems to do me some good. My AF has been in remission for 8 yrs on 200mgs Flecainide and for me on balance I stay teetotal.

Singwell profile image
Singwell

No quinine for sure, so avoid anything with tonic in mixed drinks. Most here are only occasional drinkers. My advice as a Flecainide taker would be to get used to it first before adding alcohol to the mix. Be aware Flecainide can make the heart race a little (while still keeping it in rhythm) and if the amount you drink does the same, that might not be a good call.

Daisy2908 profile image
Daisy2908

Everyone is different but when I was on flecainide 50mg twice a day I was able to drink alcohol with no issues. I always stuck to guideline daily limits though. I just wanted to have as normal a life as possible and my cardiologist said that a couple glasses of wine would be fine so you could ask whoever is treating you too. Good luck!

Morzine profile image
Morzine

I’m on 100, and I have a couple of glasses of red if I’m out, doesn’t seem a problemSue

momist profile image
momist

Whilst I agree with most of the comments so far, I'm in the same camp with Boyatthood and PT123 on this. What I will say is: staying hydrated is very important. Alcohol dehydrates, so it's a good idea if you have wine with a meal, have at least the same amount of water if not more. A couple of pints would likely be too much for me these days, (I tend to stick to craft beers in small cans/bottles) but I usually get a glass of tap water together with the beer and drink that at intervals alongside it if I do.

Thomas45 profile image
Thomas45

I was on 150mg twice a day for ten years. I had the occasional glass of red wine without problems.

Shcldavies profile image
Shcldavies

The same question many ask and unfortunately there is no way of knowing how alcohol or probably the other chemicals in the drink will effect your condition. Generally the lighter the drink the least effect it would have, suggesting its the chemicals more than the alcohol. All drink is detrimental to your body but can have some benefit (eg to your mentality and feeling of well being). If you can be without it do so as this will highly likely improve your condition, if not take it very easy and perhaps take supplements for the electrolyte the drink drain from your body (i.e. magnesium).

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