flecainide

[NLGA]

going on to this medication

Views good or bad as a treatment welcome

[mjames1]

I've been on daily flecainide for almost a year. . I also use a higher pill in pocket dose (PIP) to help me convert if I go into afib. It works well but not crazy about being on it forever, plus in some cases it can stop working. I'm therefore planning on having an ablation in the near future. Are you going to take it with a beta blocker Diltiazem? Most ep's prescribe these drugs along with flecainide for safety reasons. It's also a good idea to have a stress test and echo prior to starting to make sure you have a structurally sound heart. Then periodic ekg's to make sure you're not developing potentially dangerous arrhythmia's from the drug and especially and always one after a dose change.

Jim

[NLGA in reply to mjames1]

hi Jim

Yes they mentioned Ablation next

I am staying on Bisoprolol 10mg I did have a echo and a CT recently

Thank you for the info

[Finvola]

I have been taking 2 x 100mg of Flecainide daily for 9 years and have had no AF in that time. Flecainide has the potential to cause Atrial Flutter and for that reason, most consultants will prescribe a beta blocker alongside Flecainide to ensure that Flutter signals are blocked from 1:1 conduction to the heart's ventricles which could otherwise result in a very high heart rate. I have had a few short runs of Flutter with heart rate of 110/130 - high for me. Flecainide hasn't stopped my ectopics but I am content with the overall effect of the drug and feel fortunate.

My cardiologist ensured that my heart was structurally normal before prescribing Flecainide - echocardiogram, stress test and ECG. I have a review every 6 months with an ECG.

[NLGA in reply to Finvola]

do you have breathing issues prior to the medication? I do and I am hopeful it improves once the AF is controlled

[Finvola in reply to NLGA]

No, I had no breathing issues prior to taking Flecainide, except when an episode of AF was in full flow.

[CDreamer]

I had issues with Flec - it is a very toxic drug and my AF broke through after about 12 months. Having said that it works for some.

Unfortunately your question is too binary as Flec is both good and bad so it really depends upon how symptomatic you are and are you deemed suitable candidate? I had to take my first dose under medical supervision as it can cause other serious arrhythmias in a minority of people - be advised by your cardiologist, not your GP.

[CDreamer]

PS - it is less toxic than Amiodarone though.

[Tommyboy21]

Recently put on flecainide start February after dronedarone wasn't working. Initial 50 mg X2 then upped to 100 now just been upped to 150 X 2. Still getting daily AF. Waiting for ablation. Only initial ECG before going on it.

[tunybgur]

Been on flec for several years now, originally 100mg/day increased to 150 after a few years when occasional AF became more persistent.

It has completely eliminated my AF so far, not even occasional attacks, and it's basically given me my life back.

I have no side effects although we are all different, I know it's not prescribed to people with a long Qt interval as it can have serious consequences.

I always take it on an empty stomach as recommended as absorption is improved.

Good luck

[NLGA in reply to tunybgur]

thank you for that info

Was you breathless with your AF before ?

[tunybgur in reply to NLGA]

Not breathless, just no energy, always tired and looking for somewhere to rest.....and I used to be very active, regular running and gym sessions until 64 when I had a heart attack probably due to work stress.

I really loved my job, but it was 24/7 with a lot of traveling.

The HA I'm sure damaged my heart and caused the subsequent AF although I lost very little heart function due to prompt treatment by the NHS👍.

Retired 10 years now and still go to the gym every week, walk a lot and play golf 3 times a week.

No more running sadly due to arthritis in my hip, all part of getting old unfortunately, make the best of each day and be grateful for the bits that still work fine!

[NLGA in reply to tunybgur]

I know what you mean

Stress is a awful thing I had it for 5/6 years still now I have yet most of the reasons are gone I wish I didn’t amd could start to enjoy my life more

[SteM]

I've been on Flecainide since 2007 with only a few episodes of AF.

[dmac4646]

was on it for 12 years worked ok till I got COVID

[SuziElley]

I’ve been on Flecainide,together with Diltiazem, for nearly two years. No problems at all with it. I’m unable to have an ablation so long term medication. Annual blood tests to make sure all is well, but so far so good.

[sdweller]

It has changed my life...I've been on it for 3 years now and have not had ANY afib at all. (Note this is the longest I've gone without afib for 30 years). I felt a little less energy at first, but don't really notice anything now. The drug has been used for decades now, so it's safety is pretty clear...the only regret I have is not going on it sooner.

[Winnipegsculler]

I'm active, fit and 69 years of age. I've spent over 50 years rowing, sculling, cycling, skiing, and working out in the gym. My first episode of AF happened while exercising on a rowing machine about three years ago. I have trained with a chest-belt heart rate monitor for several decades. Until developing AF I used the 220 minus your age heart-rate formula and usually work out for 30-60 minutes within 70-80% of that number. One day, while working out on the rowing ergometer in our basement my heart rate jumped from about 140 to nearly 240 bpm. Episodes occurred quite frequently in the weeks that followed, leaving me feeling weak, short of breath, and frightened. A few hours of research online suggested my problem was likely lone paroxysmal AF, which is not uncommon among athletes my age. I purchased a Kardia. The first time I used it during an AF episode it identified the likely problem, which was confirmed by a trip to the cardiologist, who performed EKG, exercise stress test and echocardiogram. They prescribed bisoprolol which didn't work for me. So I switched to twice-daily 100 mg doses of flecainide and have been free of AF episodes for about two and a half years. Of course I also take an anticoagulant (Apixaban). Flecainide has been a life-changer for me. It has enabled me to resume working out, albeit at a less-intense level than before. The only side effect I've noticed is that flecainide prevents my heart rate from going much above 130 bpm, no matter how hard I try and push myself. I can live with that and have adjusted my training, guided by Phil Maffetone's MAF formula. Last fall I completed a 44 km paddling marathon in my single scull, finishing it in a respectable 4 hours 15 minutes. I no longer try to win races and have toned down the intensity of my training. It's a small price to pay. I am extremely thankful that the drug I have been prescribed is working for me. Everyone's experience will be different, but for me flecainide has been a game changer.

[Karendeena]

Flecainide causedme to have very fast pro-arrythmias so couldn't tolerate it. Switched to sotalol

[bassets]

I take 50m g of flecainide twice daily with a calcium channel blocker after an ablation, which works well for me. I once was put on 100mg twice daily without the dilitiazem and was ill for a month before I could sort it out. I've read somewhere the two should be prescribed together.

[NLGA in reply to bassets]

that’s interesting as mine looks like it’s Flecainide amd Bisoprolol

[bassets]

I have dilitiazen because I have asthma and can't take Bisoprolol.

[irene75359]

I use flecainide as a PiP and it works every time in 1 - 2 hours. I have never had any problems.

[Luludean]

it works for some teally well . It gave me appalling nightmares.

[listerines]

For me keeps the afib episodes far more in check than without (no side effects and was taking for 3 years straight) - everyone's outcomes will be different though. Discuss with your health care team especially on starting doseage and also need to take complementary beta-blocker if on flecainide. Be well