Gastric side effects with Flecainide?

[Fight-the-good-fight]

I am currently taking 50mg of Flecainide as a PIP.

The first couple of tablets seemed to cause no side effects. However, I experienced a 24 hr upset stomach (vomiting) which triggered AF. I took 50mg of Flecainide which I subsequently threw up.

I took another 50mg 3 hrs later - eventually reverted to NSR a few hrs later.

The following evening I had another PAF episode and took another 50mg, I reverted back to NSR within 3 hrs.

In the morning, I took my regular meds consisting of Diltiazem (60mg), Dabigatran (150 mg), (20 mg) Atorvastatin, and 20 mg Omeprazole.

Ever since I have suffered from acid reflux, even Gaviscon is not soothing.

Anyone experienced Acid Reflux with Flecainide? Is acid reflux exacerbated by medications if vomiting has left oesophagus raw?

[mjames1]

Did you ever get reflux with PIP Flecainide prior to the 24 Hour stomach upset?

Because given the timeline, it's very possible that the reflux you're getting now may be more of a carry over from whatever type of gastritis you had, as opposed to simply the Flecainide.

If that's the case, hopefully things will settle down soon, but once the stomach get irritated things can sometimes linger for quite a while.

You might therefore might want to talk to your doctor about something for the stomach like Carafe liquid, but be very careful with the timing because it can affect the absorption of other drugs.

Jim

[Fight-the-good-fight in reply to mjames1]

Thank you for your response Jim.

To date, I have only taken 4 PIP Flecainide. The first couple I can’t say I noticed any side effects.

The third one made me feel awful, but I think a possible reason for this was my Diltiazem prescription was upped from 60mg to 120mg.

Reading Drugs reaction checker Diltiazem and Flecainide have a ‘major interaction’. I am at a loss to understand why these two drugs are prescribed in tandem.

The 4th one taken on Saturday during vomiting episode left me with awful acid reflux, but as you alluded to Jim it may have been the stomach upset rather than the Flecainide.

Cheers.

[mjames1 in reply to Fight-the-good-fight]

Be assured that regardless of the drug checker, Flecainide and Diltiazem are commonly prescribed together. It combination I took for quite a while.Hopefully what your experience is being carried over from the stomach up set and things will resolve.

Jim

[Ppiman in reply to mjames1]

I couldn'tree more that the stomach can take a long time to settle. I have had problems, such as nausea, that go on for months before settling. The stomach seems to be a rather a sensitive thing!

Steve thi

[BenHall1]

Hiya F-t-g-F,

I may well be talking out the back of my head, ( even possibly ) but could it be that your medication is causing some sort of dysfunction of the Vagal Nerve - that information superhighway connecting brain, heart and gut ?

Like me ( although my party bag of drugs is different ) you are digesting quite a collection of meds and it might be that one or all of these is the cause or it might even be that the Flec is antagonising one or more of the other drugs.

When it comes to discussing drugs I've found GP's at my surgery pretty useless ....... however my Surgery Pharmacist has been brilliant. Pharmacists seem to have a much deeper knowledge of how drugs work than GP's, and a better understanding of them too. They might even be able to give some thoughts on alternatives to the drugs you are on.

If your surgery doesn't have a Pharmacist then why not try having a consultation with your local large Pharmacy Pharmacist, we have one at our local Boots.

John

[Fight-the-good-fight in reply to BenHall1]

Thanks John,

We do have a pharmacist who is based in our local surgery as well as Boots.

I loathe being on all this medication.

For the most part I am well, no issues with my heart other than PAF.

Given my nocturnal, PAF episodes seem to occur every fortnight, my arrhythmia team advised me to start taking Flecainide twice a day.

My GP has advised to continue using as a PIP

Drugs checker.com shows a ‘major interaction’ between Flecainide and diltiazem 🤷‍♀️

I do believe my Vagal Nerve is instrumental in triggering PAF.

I think I will heed your advice and consult the pharmacist.

Cheers.

[secondtry]

Are you taking the Flecainide 3hrs after eating and then don't eat for an hour?

I have been taking 200mgs for 11+ years and the only time I felt nauseous was when I once broke those guidelines, which I think are still set out in the instructions.

[Ppiman]

I get acid reflux, so you have my sympathies. Mine is generally well controlled with esomeprazole (20mg) but of late I have had to take a second tablet on occasions, as happens at times.

I don't take flecainide, even though I have been prescribed it (50mg). I have a suspicion that the heart arrhythmias themselves can cause worse reflux (or vice versa).

Steve

[Fight-the-good-fight in reply to Ppiman]

Hi Steve,

I believe you are correct in saying arrhythmias exacerbate acid reflux.

I have been told to take Lansoprazole by my GP, to prevent possible stomach bleeding from blood thinners. 🤷‍♀️

I do feel as though I am rattling along with all this medication…

[Ppiman in reply to Fight-the-good-fight]

Me too. Take care with PPI drugs as when stopped they can cause a powerful acid rebound that means lots of trouble. I know - I tried it!

I would ask your GP about taking something other than a PPI for this, I think, being as PPI drugs are, although likely very safe, can be problematic in some few cases causing B12, magnesium and calcium deficiencies.

It is being between a rock and a hard place for us. In the end, we must be guided by our doctors but - and it's very unlikely and your GPs experience might well be crucial here as online information is so very much skewed to the "bad news" - if PPIs do cause problems down the line, they can be very hard to stop taking.

Steve