Flecainide is in a group of drugs called Class IC anti-arrhythmics. It affects the way your heart
beats.
Flecainide is used in certain situations to prevent serious heart rhythm disorders.
Flecainide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking flecainide?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to flecainide, or if you have certain
heart conditions, especially "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker).
Before using flecainide, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
congestive heart failure;
a heart condition called "sick sinus syndrome";
an electrolyte imbalance;
liver disease;
kidney disease;
if you have a pacemaker; or
if you have had a heart attack within the past 2 years.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or
special tests to safely use flecainide.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your
doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Flecainide can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take flecainide?
You will need to receive your first few doses of flecainide in a hospital setting in case the
medication causes serious side effects. Your heart rate will be constantly monitored using an
electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG). This machine measures electrical activity of
the heart.
Take flecainide exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription
label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this
medication.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested on a
regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Store flecainide at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose of flecainide?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait
until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
take extra medicine
to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about flecainide?
Your pharmacist has information about flecainide written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of flecainide?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
dizziness;
tremor or shaking;
headache;
anxiety or depression;
vision problems;
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
diarrhea, constipation; or
numbness or tingling.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your
doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about flecainide?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to flecainide, or if you have certain
heart conditions, especially "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker).
Before using flecainide, tell your doctor if you have congestive heart failure, a heart condition
called "sick sinus syndrome," an electrolyte imbalance, liver disease, kidney disease, if you have a
pacemaker, or if you have had a heart attack within the past 2 years.
You will need to receive your first few doses of flecainide in a hospital setting in case the
medication causes serious side effects. Your heart rate will be constantly monitored using an
electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG). This machine measures electrical activity of
the heart.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as weak pulse, slow
breathing, fast or uneven heartbeat, feeling like you might pass out, feeling short of breath, swelling,
rapid weight gain, confusion, extreme thirst, increased urination, muscle weakness, or jaundice
(yellowing of the skin or eyes).
What should I avoid while taking flecainide?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while
you are using flecainide.
What other drugs will affect flecainide?
Before taking flecainide, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
cimetidine (Tagamet),
digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);
a diuretic (water pill);
verapamil (Verelan, Calan, Isoptin);
seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol,
Tegretol), phenobarbital (Solfoton), or phenytoin (Dilantin);
other heart rhythm medications such as amiodarone
(Cordarone), disopyramide (Norpace), or quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex); or
a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol
(Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol
(Betapace), timolol (Blocadren), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
flecainide. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins,
minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication
without telling your doctor.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
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warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
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given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
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interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
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Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009