Alternatives to Flecainide for keeping Afib at bay

[Kennyb1968]

I have been taking flecainide for the past 2 weeks or so after using it as a PIP. My EP and I are still trialling the frequency and dosage to get it right. So far I am getting AFib incidents every 2-3 days but they are very mild - no symptoms, 80-90bpm, revert naturally or with an extra 100mg in 2 hours or less and absolutely brilliant news - I can sleep through them. This is a management routine to get me to an ablation do overall I'm pretty pleased. Has anyone had a similar experience or more success in being AFib clear by shifting to another maintenance drug dosage?

[Hidden]

What you are doing is very common practice in terms of preparing for an ablation. The only thing I would add is whilst I’m not medically trained, it’s my understanding that you should also take a regular beta blocker or calcium channel blocker whilst taking Flecainide as a regular maintenance dose otherwise you could be exposed to other, non AF arrhythmias. The most commonly used alternative is Amiodarone and whilst very effective, is best avoided for long term use…….

[Kennyb1968 in reply to Hidden]

Yes - waiting to get bispopronol prescription.

Thanks

[BobD Volunteer]

Propafanone is an alternative to Flecianide and since it has beta blocking functions as well does not normally need additional drugs. AF is all about trying different things till you find one which suits you.

[Kennyb1968 in reply to BobD]

Cheers Bob

[mjames1]

With flec, I find it's all dosage/life related. So, in general, the higher the dose, the more protection. However, when my life intervenes with triggers such as stress or too much activity, indigestion, dehydration, etc. afib is more likely to break through.

My strategy is to taking the lowest possible dose that will keep me out of afib when things are good and to prophylactically increase the dose occasionally when my triggers are present. And when that fails and I go into afib, go to a PIP dose.

Not sure changing meds makes sense since Flecainide seems to be working pretty good with you, especially since it's just a bridge until you get an ablation. But if you did want to try something else, as suggested, Propafanone is another alternative and has a built in beta blocker.

Jim

[Guitar335]

Hi, Flec haș been very successful for me but I do think it takes time to settle down. I originally used as a PiP with little success and have played with dosages since. I was at 100mg twice a day at one stage and have now managed to get it down to 50mg twice per day but took many weeks for things to settle down properly and bottom line it all depends on what else is going on.Ive de-stressed my life and drink alcohol very rarely so depends on your external triggers, so suggest you re-assess what you are doing as well as the drug to give yourself the best chance

Best wishes

[Cookie24]

Flecainide did not suit me so I take Propafenone and Diltiazem.