Using Fleicanide?

[Mabrook]

I have been diagnosed with PAF some years ago and only had a few occasions when I felt an irregular heart beat which resolved after a few hours. During those years I took benzomethiazide and diltiazem. However, after being admitted into hospital for another condition which required surgery the hospital stopped previous medications and I was put onto anticoagulants (first Riveroxaban and later Apixaban) which caused severe gut bleeding. and candersartan (2 mg once a day) for reducing high blood pressure. I found since then I had frequent bouts of irregular heart beats although the beat rate was in the normal range (60 - 75 beats per minute). I then went to see a cardiologist who has prescribed 100 mg Fleicanide twice daily and told me to stop the anticoagulant and wants me to take a bigger dose of candersartan as the blood pressure reading at the surgery went up to 160 which I am sure was due to the fact that was extremely stressed out! I have only started taking the fleicanide and am alarmed at reading the side effects that folk have had although so far I have not felt a thing. I live alone and have no family around so am concerned if I react badly and there is no one to help. What indication is there that one might faint or collapse? Am being stupid to be so worried by this drug? The notes with the medication say it should be taken under supervision and that the patient should be checked regularly by a doctor. My surgery here is really in a bad way through Covid and it is virtually impossible to get a doctors appointment face to face as everything is being done by phone. I have been monitoring my blood pressure daily (around 130 -139) and heart action using a Kardia which says AF not detected but Unclassified arrhythmias seen from time to time. I would really appreciate any suggestions, advice and support to cope with this on my own. It is so scary when one feels the heart acting this way and is usually overnight !

[James_j]

I had the same fear when starting initially but it turned out to be ok and can’t say I’ve noticed anything peculiar whilst taking it. Though I take 50mg twice per day of Flecainide along with Metoprolol which is supposedly a common combination to help with ectopic and PAF. I think the usual process is to get the cardiologist to take an ecg after one week of starting it just to check it’s working as expected and nothing adverse is going on. Also I had the perception when I was prescribed it that I was given a beta blocker alongside it to protect against anything adverse with the Flecainide. Best to double check with your cardiologist just to give you peace of mind though.

[Mabrook in reply to James_j]

Thank you for getting back to me. So far I have not felt any side effects but I am not seeing the cardiologist for a check up after starting the medication as it was a private consultation and he said he would see me again in 2 months. I cannot take beta blockers hence it was not prescribed. I am wondering if it is important to take the tablet one hour before eating as stated in the instruction as it is so inconvenient at times. Here’s hoping I don’t get any after effects.

[Malayabalaya in reply to Mabrook]

Hiya I started taking Flecainide 100mg twice a day and can’t say I have had any side effects and now don’t get any ectopics. I asked the cardiologist about having to take it around meal times because as you say it’s not always convenient and she looked it all up when I was with her and she said it doesn’t matter if it’s with or without food. More important to try to stick to 12hours between doses. So I take one dose at 8or9 am the the next at 8 or 9pm. I guess you will have an ECG when you next see the cardiologist. I also take 3.75 mg Bisoprolol which as you say is protective. Couldn’t tolerate more than that when prescribed on it’s own and anyway did nothing for the ectopics. I believe Flecainide is very safe unless there’s significant underlying heart disease. Why can’t you take Bisoprolol? Best wishes for your progress

[Mabrook in reply to Malayabalaya]

So good of you to reply and reassure me. I too have so far not had any side effects with Fleicanide so am relieved and hope they dont start later. I also take my pill in the morning and later again before my evening meal but good to know it is best to separate the doses by bout 12 hours. I wont see the cardiologist for 2 months he said so am not being monitored closely. He also upped my blood pressure tablet as in the surgery it was taken and I was quite stressed out so it was much higher than normal and was only one reading. Since then I have been taking my pressure 4 times a day for a week to find out what the normal average blood pressure is so that I get the correct dose. He has yet to tell me. I have not felt any heart beat irregularity since starting on the fleicanide which is good so hoping that is promising. I came off using bisopropol when prescribed by the GP as it was making me breathless so didnt carry on using it. I hope all goes well for you and thank you so much for getting in touch. Much appreciated.

[James_j in reply to Mabrook]

I too had the same issue with Bisoprolol. Initially I was started on that but every now and again shortly after taking it I would feel quite breathless in addition to it not particularly easing symptoms. It just helped prevent the AF if I went into an episode at the time, though this never happened. With regards to blood pressure I had the same issue, some times it would be sky high whilst seeing the doctor but fine once home. Also I haven’t had any issue taking Flecainide without a meal, in fact I tend to take it by itself late morning and just before bed as I wanted to maximise the effect over night given that’s when my PAF only ever seems to kick in.

[Mabrook in reply to James_j]

So interesting to hear you had problems with Bisoprolol just as I did. Are you still taking it? I am not taking it any more. The Fleicanide has not affected me as far as I know so it is reassuring to read that you have found it to be no bother. I have been monitoring my blood pressure for a week and will forward the results to my GP to find out if I need to take a bigger dose of Candesartan. I am on 2 mg once a day at present and my blood pressure varies between 125 and139 depending on how anxious I am! Many thanks for your reply as it is good to hear of other peoples experiences.Wishing you all the best.

[jimpiggott]

Here is the good news, if you had a bad heart they would not prescribe flecainide. Also you are not wrong about Bisoprolol, it has some severe limiting effects. I take just 100mg of Flec twice a day and have no side effects, i take no other meds so i would notice if there were. i do find my resting heart rate is 5 beats per minute quicker, but i also train to a high heart rate (higher than my maximum is supposed to be)regularly. do not worry about your heart, worry about what a delicious breakfast youll have tomorrow instead. x

[Mabrook in reply to jimpiggott]

Thank you so much for telling me about your experience with fleicianide. It is so reassuring that it does not always produce unwanted side effects. We are told to read the instructions before taking the tablets but the statements there can create alarm! Anyway I am feeling ok and my heart beat feels steady. The cardiologist suggested I took a stronger dose of candesartan as my blood pressure was higher than normal when it was tested in surgery and I don’t want to take a stronger dose if it is not necessary. So I have taken Blood pressure readings four times a day for a week and have just sent him the results so as to get his advice. Fingers crossed I will stay on a 2 mg dose once a day. Many thanks for replying to me. All the best.