The directions on my flecainide states the following: take 1 tablet twice a day and 2 tablets as needed for atrial fibrillation. (The tabs are 50MG Flecainide acetate) Anyone understand this? If in afib I take 2 twice a day instead of 1 twice a day or does this mean if I experience an episode of afib take 2 at one time? I believe it is the latter, however, the instructions stop there. What if the afib does not resolve? Do it again at some interval? And before you say call and ask…yes, I will do that, however, just curious if anyone else has had the same or similar instructions and what you understood that to mean. Thnx
Flecainide Instructions: The directions... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Flecainide Instructions
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Jafib
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My interpretation - but check:- Assuming that each tablet is 50mg, you would take 50mg twice daily to prevent AF which would equal 100mg/bd. If you get a breakthrough episode your would be able to take two further tablets within a 24 hour period to stop an episode = a further 100mg within 24 hours which is under the absolute recommended maximum dose within 24hours of 300mg.
When I took Flecainide I started on 100mg twice daily and able to take further 100mg for breakthrough episodes.
It’s always better to talk dosage rather than tablets so there is no misunderstandings so check as my assumptions are that you have been given 50mg tablets but Flecainide comes in 50mg, 100mg and 150mg tablets. 50mg twice daily is the recommended initial dose for AF.
Hope that helps.
If you get regular breakthrough episodes which don’t resolve you would have to go back to your doctor to rethink as no point in taking a drug which doesn’t work for you. Flec kept me in NSR for about 12 months, then it didn’t so had to rethink so went to ablation but that was 10 years ago and the recommendations have now changed so - have you considered ablation?
Yes, it sounds like the one tablet twice a day is the maintenance dose and if you go into atrial fibrillation, you are instructed to take two additional tablets which would be the PIP (pill in pocket) dose.
My instructions were to take 50 mg of flecainide twice a day and take another 50mg tab if I went into afib. Then wait an hour and take another 50 mg tab if still in a fib. Then no more Flecainide because 150 mg was my maximum 24 hour dosage.
Others are allowed up to 300 mg in 24 hours. Flecainide is a very potent drug and it's important you get the instructions correct from your doctor. You don't want to take too little or too much.
Jim
Thank you for the response. The tabs are 50MG Flecainide acetate
BobDVolunteer
It really depends on the size (dose ) of each tablet. Whilst I agree with both other replies it must be emphasised that the absolute maximum to be taken IN ANY 24 HOUR PERIOD is 300 mg.
Hi Jafib.
First off flex is a powerful but effective heart med. My guess would be that you have recently started on the drug - 50 mg is the normal starter dose for a month or so until your body adjusts - in my case it was upped to 100mg twice a day with a PIP being another 100mg. That's your max daily dose in any 24 hours unless your doctor says otherwise.
We are all different but I can tell when afib may hit. If this is the case for you I suggest eating very little that day - used as a PIP flec is much more effective on an empty stomach. For me used as a PIP it takes an hour or so to'kick in'. I also noticed that even though I was back in sinus my HR was much higher for about 4 days.
Paul
Thanks for the response. Very informative. My history with flec is a long one - since 2008. Also have a bicuspid aortic valve, which adds another layer of fun. Long story short - diagnosed with afib in 2008, 100mg of flec twice a day kept me good until 2018. Decided to get ablation in 2018. Lasted 8 months but allowed me to cut flex and motoprolol in half, however, it was somewhat of a curse in that it ended my ability to feel and know when I was in afib. Had Covid a couple months ago and after felt like heart was off…bought Apple Watch and found I was in persistent afib. Went to doctor and had echo and ekg. Echo showed it is time to get my aortic valve replaced and was also put on Eliquis. Now that Eliquis has been in my system for 3 weeks, I am getting cardioversion Thursday morning unless I convert on my own first. The doc also increased my flex dose from 50Mg twice a day to 100MG twice a day (that change just happened). If that doesn’t convert me then the hope is that the higher dose will help keep me in sinus rhythm after cardioversion.
How interesting. I think it means take 2 when you have an attack! I operate a pill in a pocket approach as I rarely have AF. However i was told to take 150 mg of flecainide if I had an attack together with 5 mg of betablockers My cardiologist told me that some people take 200 grams of flecainide. I don't think you should take any more flecanide for around 8! hours ? Like you I shall be interested to hear what other people have been told?
Hi
I reckon you are right. The latter.
Take 50mg twice daily.
If in AF take 2 x 50mg (Like pill in pocket).
But make sure your heart is structurally normal. Or it could make AF worse.
My heart is abnormal so I have been told no cardioversion. ablation or Flec as it is an anti-arrhymic med.
But told CCB Diltiazem's action of slowing down and controlling heart rate works as an anti-arrhymic med. This med saved my life but as I was not introduced to it for 2 years 3 months, I have damage.
cheri JOY. 75. (NZ)
Thanks for the reply. Sorry your heart was damaged. 😕
I've had Afib about once a month for 18 months. Initially prescribed Verapamil which I couldn't tolerate, then my consultant prescribed Flecainide 100mg either daily or PIP and said it was up to me. I decided against taking it daily after horrible experience with Verapamil.
I take 50mg Flec PIP after 15 - 20 mins of Afib .. if that doesn't work I take another 50mg (1/2 tablet) after another 1/2 hour. For several days after taking Flecainide I do experience bouts of tachycardia (fast rate) so I try and deal with Afib episodes using natural means if I can ..
What are your "natural means"? Thanks.
Everyone will have different things that work for them. When in Afib, first I drink a full glass of very cold water, splash my face with cold water and then sit down to do yogic breathing. I have the Kardia infront of me and check the readings from time to time to see what's happening. There are many types of 'yogic breathing' the one I practice is slow deep breathing, filling the lungs completely. Breathing in let the belly expand as if the air is going right down filling the belly, then fill the diaphragm feeling the ribs expand outwards, then fill the lungs right up to the top of the chest. Breathing out through the mouth - empty the belly first, then the diaphragm, then the top of the lungs. I keep this going very slowly for about 15 minutes, if it isn't working I take Flec PIP. My layman understanding is that slow deep breathing sends a message to the vagus nerve to calm and reset the heart. It can also calm the mind.
Other things: regular acupuncture, Magnesium Taurate supplement, milled flaxseed, coconut water for electrolytes, trying to sleep well and generally avoid stress.
my cardio says whatever you do that works keep doing it ...
I hope this helps
Originally, I was prescribed Flecainide (100mg as a PIP) but as episodes increased I was told to take 50mg twice daily but to take 100mg if I experienced an AF episode which would stop it in a couple of hours. As I continued to have odd episodes, I was prescribed 100mg to take twice day and have only had one episode since then around the time when I must have been infected with covid (with no other symptoms but a positive test) when another 100mg pill ended that episode in a few hours. As the maximum dose is 300mg, that was the only time I had occasion to reach it well over a year ago. We know that we are all different and I hope you find what works for you.
I agree with CDreamer. I take 100mg twice daily…and carry 100mg with me should I need it. That’s the max one is able to take in 24hours.
What are you inferring? That taking a small sample on a bud can poison me? Are you a reader of that crazy Light paper? I took the test after our daughter who we had seen the previous day reported she had tested positive, to be sure I didn’t pass it on to others or perhaps you would choose to do that? The last episode of AF that I experienced occurred the day before I tested positive so the test certainly did not precipitate the AF episode though the virus most probably did as I wrote!
I think you need to clarify with your cardiologist. If you're having Afib often then you would probably have a regular twice per day dose. The amount would be determined by your doctor. If it's not helping at the lower dose then doctor ups the dose. That's how it is done here but then we are at the bottom of the globe. I had some weird reactions when I was put on a higher dose. I stopped for a week and will try the higher dose again. Went from 50mg x2 per day to 100mg. Good luck with it
Hi Wfibtastic- have just been bumped up to 100mg of flecanide twice a day. Can you share your “weird reactions”? Thanks
Hi. Took 100mg 2hrs before bed. Heart rate was up a bit. Didn't take pulse. But the worst thing was my heart seemed to be pounding. Much stronger beats. Normally I can't feel it. Therefore I was a bit worried about falling asleep just in case I might not wake up...... ever. Next week I will try 100mg in the morning and 50mg at night as somebody on here is doing OK with. Cheers
Very helpful-thank you!
You don’t seem to understand what I wrote! Try again please! The episode occurred the day before I tested after my daughter who we had seen that day reported she had tested positive. You really seem to have problems other than AF!
This is a potent drug to take every day. I take 150-200 mg. Only when I have an attack; it successfully treats within 2-3 hrs. Important to drink lots of water with this drug as it can lower your blood pressure significantly.
You really don’t seem to be able to understand that I only took the test to check whether I had been infected after my daughter reported a positive test result! As it happens I was one of 2 percent of people who were allergic to the last booster jab but I’d rather not have a bad episode of covid though it seems you wouldn’t mind that!
Both of you,calm down please otherwise you'll be in detention!!
Do you think a person can overcome/recover from taking one Covid shot? Does your body, do you think, ever fully recover? Thanks.
Take Ivermectin every other day. NAC, Vit. D3, Zinc every day. Fenbendazole and Hydroxychloroquine are just as good as Ivermectin, as well. I also take Quercetin daily. There are ways to help, but not sure your body will ever get back to normal due to the automatic processes going on in your body that were created with this gene therapy shot. I wish you only the best!!!!
Did you take the Covid shot and did you get Afib? Thanks.
Almost forgot, EDTA oral and cream and Vit. C. I did not take any Covid shots, or pcr tests which are both poisonous. The only poison I've received was via dental anesthesia, and eye drops at my optometrists appt. I don't allow that now. I got AFIB either through the poisoning I received above or could be from the food, water, or chemtrails.
Did you get Covid and Afib? Thanks.
I took one in the morning and one at night! Not both together!
I took 100MG IN THE MORNING AND 100MG AT NIGHT for 2 yrs!
Hi. I have similar instructions on mine: I'm allowed a MAXIMUM of 300mg in a 24 hour period; so daily I take x1 tablet (100mg) in the morning, then another x1 tablet (100mg) in the evening - each day; but ... IF I get an Afib episode, I am able to take ONE MORE 100mg tablet when required.
I was originally on x2 50mg tablets daily, but was still getting episodes.
I've also been told IF I've taken at TOTAL of x3 tablets, and still have an Episode happening, I should ''present to A&E''.
Hope this helps.
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