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Starting on Flecainide

GordonNZ profile image
27 Replies

Hi guys

I have been put on Flecainide 100mg once a day and to go to twice a day as soon as I can handle it. The 100mg already makes me very dizzy and scared that 200mg is going to be real bad. How has it affected you?

Secondly, it seems that when I do some cardio a feel bad quickly, is this so or just me? I am 47

Thank you

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GordonNZ
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27 Replies
mjames1 profile image
mjames1

I assume we are talking about Flecainide tabs, not capsules?

If so, who prescribed it like this? Was it a GP or a cardiologist or electrophysiologist (ep)?

When you get to flecainide, best to see an ep. Flecainide is fast and short acting so a starter dose might be 50mg, every 12 hours. Never heard of starting at 100mg as a single dose. The way they prescribed it, you may have too much in your system at one time and not enough at another time.

And having too much in your system, may be why you're feel badly doing cardio. That happened to me as well. And if they gave you other new drugs with it, like bisoprolol or diltiazem, that could also affect how you feel.

No medical training, but my suggestion is to lay off, or really tone down the cardio, until you get the flecainide situation straighten out. It may be you just need to get used to it, or it just might be too high a dose. When I felt badly exercising on Flecainide, my ep put me on a treadmill and did an ekg and then lowered the dose.

I also wouldn't rush to increase the dose, until you've adjusted to the lower dose. Also, protocol is to do an ekg after every dose increase to make sure your heart can handle it.

Jim

GordonNZ profile image
GordonNZ in reply to mjames1

Thanks, it is capsules and it was a cardiologist.

mjames1 profile image
mjames1 in reply to GordonNZ

Not familiar with capsule dosing. Most take the tablets. If it's not working out, maybe see an electrophysiologist (ep).

KiwiBlake profile image
KiwiBlake

Kia ora Gogo

I hace been 100mg Flecainide controlled release capsule for the past 2 years. I can't say I've had any side effects, no dizzy spells. I had a cryo ablation at Waikato hospital last September. I do a physical job, farming, and the Flecainide (and 120 Diltiazem) hasn't slowed me down at all (51 year old male).

I'm still on the daily meds. Under advice I tried weaning off the Flec but had a couple of break throughs AF episodes lasting a couple of hours. I may need a touch up ablation, time will tell.

Re your dizzy spells, whats your blood pressure, is it a bit on the low side since going on the meds? The only thing I noticed is the Flec slows my heart beat to approx 60 bpm.

Cheers Blake

GordonNZ profile image
GordonNZ in reply to KiwiBlake

Thank you Blake. Nice to chat to another NZ

Cadelvento profile image
Cadelvento

For me it was dizziness, tachycardia and tremors and it was a smaller dose just once a day. I quit

Dippy22 profile image
Dippy22

For me I became grossly dehydrated virtually from day one. I was only on 50mg twice a day. Was advised to take a further 100mg as a ‘pill in pocket’ approach when in AFib, but had horrific double vision and lightheadedness!

Suffice to say the Doc took me straight off it. 😟

Elizka profile image
Elizka

I do 50mg twice day of Flecainide and don't push it during cardio. The goal for me is to get off the drug after my ablation this month. I don't notice any difference, but I was told by doctor not to get to a training heart rate.

GordonNZ profile image
GordonNZ in reply to Elizka

Thank you,

Afib_girl profile image
Afib_girl

I could not handle Flecainde at all.. I went from running 3 miles no problem to barely being able to run a few mins. Also gained 30lbs in a short time.. sad I had so many bad side effects bc only drug that worked for me

GordonNZ profile image
GordonNZ in reply to Afib_girl

O wow. Hoping I will adjust

Daisy2908 profile image
Daisy2908

I took 50mg flecainide (tablets not capsules) twice a day for over a year with no issues. I do a very high amount of cardio with no issues while taking it. Agree with some of the other comments on here that you should go back to your cardiologist and let them know you are experiencing some issues with current dose. Hope you get it sorted out.

Singwell profile image
Singwell

Am also not familiar with the capsules. Dizziness and nausea nor uncommon whilst uploading Flecainide though. Maybe adjusting time of day would help? I'm.guessing these are slow release and therefore take with food.

Thomas45 profile image
Thomas45

I started on 50mg x 2 a day and subsequently my dose increased to 150mg x , 2 a day. I had no side effects.

Mcopt profile image
Mcopt

Hi I have been on it 100mg 2x day since early November it stopped my afib in 3 days and so far so good my ED is keeping me on it for another 6 months then will try it as a pill in the pocket. Can't say I had any issues adapting to it I go to the gym but a bit calmer now as I am nearly 68 and walk a lot I do take bisoprolol with it and I know a lot of people do need to ask if you should be taking that as well perhaps.

GordonNZ profile image
GordonNZ in reply to Mcopt

Thanks for the response. I was on Bisoprolol but the cardiologist took me off.

secondtry profile image
secondtry

I have taken 200mgs Flec in tablet form per day for 9+ yrs. I remember the first 4 months I felt pretty weird but all was new so I just pushed on including seeing a London Naturopath who put his patients on just a Magnesium compound and Co Q10; so I doubled down and took that as well.Including other lifestyle changes, it has all worked remarkably well.

MeganMN profile image
MeganMN in reply to secondtry

I am taking 100mg once daily for Atrial Tachycardia and wondered about the Heart Calm. I bought some but wasnt sure if it was okay to take with the Flecainide. Sounds like it is.

secondtry profile image
secondtry in reply to MeganMN

I treat supplements similar to medicines and I would always start with half the recommended dose and go from there. Heartcalm looks very similar to the Mg compound I take nutriadvanced.co.uk/megamag...

bassets profile image
bassets

I was put up from 50mg to 100mg twice a day after an attack and made to drop dilimiazem too I was feeling really unwell for a month after that. When I went back to dilitiazem and just 50 mg of flecainide I found I could tolerate it much better and I am still on this dose now.

Tapanac profile image
Tapanac

normally EPs start flecainide at 50mgs night and morning

I’ve found it a miracle drug

Good luck

GordonNZ profile image
GordonNZ in reply to Tapanac

Thank you

1xrower profile image
1xrower

Hi! good luck. I was on Flec for about 4 years. No real side effects, and I do cardio, high intensity, and found that flecanide kind of 'dulled' my heart's ability to respond to higher stresses. HR didn't respond like it should (or used to), and took forever to reach higher heart rates. But better than having AF. Finally had an ablation, and six months later feel like I have a new heart. Amen.

GordonNZ profile image
GordonNZ in reply to 1xrower

Glad you are feeling better. Thanks for the response.

Brandue profile image
Brandue

I am on Flecainide 125 mg a day. 50 mg tabs. It was making me very dizzy so, I cut the tablets in half and dose it at 25 mg 5 times a day with no side effects. A bit of a pain to take like this, but it works for me. Taking 50 mg at once will make me very lightheaded and kinda numb feeling. Also try Heart Calm. You can get it on Amazon. This helps a lot. I am Proximal afib.

Smileyian profile image
Smileyian

I take twice a day now. However I also progressed to a higher mg but after a month all is fine. No great side effects.

GordonNZ profile image
GordonNZ in reply to Smileyian

Thanks. So it can take up to a month to work?

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