Flecainide and Tildiem

[Cablecar]

Is there anyone out there taking both Flecainide and Tildiem (Diltiazem)? Any problems?

[mjames1]

Very common combination, however both have their side effect profiles. I took them both together. It took me a while to get used to both, with edema (swelling) of feet and ankle one noticeable (and again common) side effect. I did have some issues when my Flec dose was increased and my ep reduced dose. Flec should be monitored by ekg and symptons.

Jim

[Cablecar in reply to mjames1]

Thanks for your reply, Jim. Noted. I'm hopefully starting Flecainide soon.

[Lenlec]

I’m on 60mg diltiziam and apixaban twice a day

No real side effects yet hopefully

[Singwell in reply to Lenlec]

Tildiem is a brand of Diltiazem hydrochloride, which is a calcium channel blocker. It's commonly prescribed in tandem with Flecainide. I had this combo but my Diltiazem was prolonged release so only once a day. Problems I experienced- acid reflux and skin flushing when I first started using it. Known side effect. My biggest ongoing issue with it was that it's a vasodilator as well as rate controller. Sometimes, after a long AF episode, I'd get a BP hypo after taking the Diltiazem. But that didn't happen regularly- only occasionally. May not affect you that way. See what others say.

[Cablecar in reply to Singwell]

Thanks Singwell, a spike in BP may be welcome. At the moment, my BP tends to be too low.

[mjames1 in reply to Cablecar]

"Hypo" means lower. Both Diltiazem and beta blockers can potentially lower your blood pressure, however Diltiazem less so. Many doctors feel it's important to take one or the other with Flecainide for safety reasons.

Jim

[Cablecar in reply to mjames1]

Thanks for the correction, James. Ofcourse, Hypo, not Hyper. I already can't take Beta Blockers.

[Cablecar in reply to Singwell]

Thanks Singwell. A spike in BP may be actually welcome. My problem currently is Low BP

[Singwell in reply to Cablecar]

Oh perhaps I misled? I meant the opposite - a hypo.

[Cablecar in reply to Lenlec]

Thanks Lenlec, I've just started Edoxaban, which I think is similar to Apixaban. So this is reassuring.

[Adiepie]

have just started flecainide (first week) , have been on dilitiazem for years, no apparent side effects yet!

[Cablecar in reply to Adiepie]

Thanks Adipie, I hope to be starting Flecainide soon, subject to passing the Stress test!

[Elli86]

I’ve had flecanaide in the past and felt like it was killing me. Didn’t realise it was the drug until someone on here informed me. But then maybe slating drugs will get me in trouble again 🤐 think flecanaide might be on the safe list though 🤣

[Cablecar in reply to Elli86]

Sorry that you had a bad experience. Still, I will give it a try. My Doctor told me that it should only take 48 hr to know if I can't tolerate it.

[Elli86 in reply to Cablecar]

Yeah 100% give it a go if that’s what you’ve been told to do. Everyone reacts differently to different drugs. Many people on here tolerate it well. I’m just not one of them 🤣

[mjames1 in reply to Cablecar]

I had a rough first couple of weeks on Flecainide with several afib episodes. I was convinced the drug was making things worse. My ep suggested to hold the course and he was right. After that things calmed down, I remained in normal rhythm pretty much afterwards. Of course always a good idea to report any side effects to your EP and let them gauge the meaning which often involves an ekg.

Jim