Flecainide side effects

[CyclistMark]

Hi all, hope everyone is doing ok.

I’m three weeks post cardioversion, four ablation.

I’ve been taking flecainide 100mg twice a day for three weeks and today feel rather weak. Have lost about 5 pounds in two weeks due to largely cutting out sugar in my tea and coffee. Have carried out ECG on Apple Watch and normal rhythm with resting HR 75 bpm.

Temperature 37.1 degrees so relatively normal but I feel cold, achy and fluey with an intermittent headache. Of course I realise I may have caught a cold or flu so need to eliminate each out, but is this a known side effect of flecainide?

Thanks

[Hidden]

I’ve only ever taken 2 x 50mg Flecainide a day for about 10 months about 5 yrs ago and I never experienced any of the side effects you mentioned. There is quite a lot of bugs around at the moment, including of course, Covid…….

[Bagrat]

I've been taking Flecainide 100mg twice a day for years with a reduction to 50mg for about 5 years . I've never had any probs in that time. Sounds more like a bug or maybe adjusting to sudden loss of sugar highs? That is not a medical diagnosis more a lay person's take!!

[secondtry]

Unlikely.

[Mrsvemb]

It’s worth doing a covid test as symptoms of the current strains seem to be like cold symptoms.

[Hidden]

Good Morning, our Flecainide Info Sheet lists the known side effects, it can be found here: heartrhythmalliance.org/afa... it doesn't list your symptoms. Hope you feel better soon!

[Pammy59]

Hi, I have been on Flecainide 50mg twice a day for nearly five years with no side effects. I would do a Covid test. Here’s wishing you a speedy recovery.

[Electricblu]

Hi Mark, flecainide has many side effects (as do most drugs) I cannot take it and used to get severe headaches and weakness amongst several other side effects. That was on 50mg 2 x daily. It's prescribed for me as a PIP now instead, but it is about as much use as a chocolate teapot at controlling my arrhythmias. In my case it's pro-arrhythmic and the side effects from a higher dose when taken as a PIP are worse than sitting an arrhythmia out. I found that it also makes my atrial flutter much worse too. I've stopped taking it, but you should speak to your doctor and get some advice. I have posted a link to side effects and I hope you feel better soon . medlineplus.gov/druginfo/me...

[mjames1]

If you haven't already, take at least a rapid Covid test. All over the place now, at least in the US. Other than that, a lot going on, including a recent ablation, rapid weight loss and the abrupt stopping of coffee and sugar. Any one of which could cause what you're feeling. And like you said, could be a cold or flu and yes, it could be flecainide. If it is, hopefully you will adjust and if not maybe discuss a dose reduction.

Jim

[Debbie-Sue]

I’ve taken flecainide for about 20 years. Lots of side effects. I’ve fractured 5 Vertebrae’s, constant heart burn and ringing in my ears. Some of the side effects. I’ve had two ablation and won’t do that again. It has not hurt my immune system. But what are you going to do? Anyway good luck to you, it’s better than fib.

[saulger]

Weight loss would seem too high in just two weeks:

"How much weight will I lose if I cut out sugar?

The study found that people who ate less sugar lost an average of nearly 2 pounds over a period of 10 weeks while people who increased their sugar intake gained nearly 2 pounds in the same amount of time. These seem like small changes but over time this weight gain can really add up."

wellness.totalaccessmedical...

[Kennyb1968]

Hey Mark

I take 250mg a day - sounds a lot but I'm 6'5" and 15 and a half stone so my EP said I would probably need a larger dose at least to start with. I sometimes feel. A little "space out" but this is short lived. I'd really recommend a COVID test mate.

Kenny