Before taking flecainide, tell your doctor if you have
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any other type of heart disease or heart problems,
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liver disease, or
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kidney disease.
You may not be able to take flecainide, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Flecainide is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether flecainide will harm an unborn baby. Do not take flecainide without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
Flecainide passes into breast milk. It is not known whether flecainide will affect a nursing infant. Do not take flecainide without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Take flecainide exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Flecainide can be taken with or without food.
Do not skip doses or change your dosing schedule without talking to your doctor. Changing your schedule could make your condition much worse.
Store flecainide at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Try not to miss any doses of this medication. Missing doses could be very dangerous.
If you do miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your
next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking flecainide and seek emergency medical attention:
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
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a new or a worsening irregular heartbeat pattern;
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wheezing, coughing, chest pain, or chest discomfort; or
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decreased heart rate.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take flecainide and talk to your doctor if you experience
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dizziness or tiredness;
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upset stomach, abdominal pain, or constipation;
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headache or blurred vision; or
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swelling.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems or unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Do not skip doses or change your dosing schedule without talking to your doctor. Changing your schedule could make your condition much worse.
Smoking may reduce the amount of flecainide in your body. Do not start or stop smoking without first talking to your doctor. You may need a change in your dosage.
Smoking may reduce the amount of flecainide in your body. Do not start or stop smoking without first talking to your doctor. Your flecainide dosage may have to be changed.
Follow any other special instructions given by your doctor regarding food, beverages, or activities.
Before taking flecainide, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
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amiodarone (Cordarone),
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cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB),
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disopyramide (Norpace),
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propranolol (Inderal), or
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verapamil (Verelan, Calan, Isoptin).
The medicines listed above may increase the effects of flecainide. You may require a lower dose of flecainide if you are taking any of these medicines.
Also, flecainide may increase the effects of drugs such as propranolol (Inderal) and digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps), and side effects could result. Tell your doctor if you are taking these medicines.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with flecainide. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms of a flecainide overdose include tiredness, dizziness, confusion, difficulty breathing, heart attack, and a worsening irregular heartbeat.