Re: MEDICATIONS

Posted By ERL on April 27, 1999 at 18:30:20
I HAVE A PACEMAKER, SINGLE CHAMBER, IMPLANTED FOR TACHY-BRADY SYNDROME.I WAS PLACED ON TAMBOCAR, 50MG; ONE TABLET TWICE A DAY. ALSO LANOXIN; .125 MG ONE TABLET A DAY. WITH TAMBOCAR, I HAVE NAUSEA. AFTER READING ABOUT TAMBOCAR, I CONCERNED ABOUT TAKING THIS DRUG. I DO NOT HAVE MANY BEATS ON MY OWN; COULD THIS BE CAUSED BY THE DRUGS? THE PACEMAKER IS SET AT 70.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - CRC on April 29, 1999 at 14:19:02
Dear ERL,
Tambacor (generic name flecanide) is a class IC antiarrhythmic drug.  It is used to treat various heart rhythm disorders and is used in certain groups of patients.  It should not be used in anyone with underlying coronary artery disease or anyone with an intolerance to the drug.  As with any drug it has potential side effects.  Some of the potential side effects are dizziness, visual disturbances, shortness of breath (<10% of patients who take the drug), headache, nausea, fatigue, palpitations, tremor, constipation, edema, fever, abdominal pain, tachycardia and rash (<1% of patients who take the drug).  More serious complications include heart block, blood dyscrasias, hepatic dysfunction and serious arrhythmias that may cause death.
Drug interactions which may increase or lower the levels of the drug include digitalis, propranolol, cimettidine, amiodarone, and smoking.
It is hard for me to give you specific advise as to the treatment of your tachy-brady syndrome. What kind of symptoms were you having and how does that compare to how you feel now?  I would suggest you have a discussion with your cardiologist about your concerns and weigh the benefits and risks of continuing to take the drug.
Information provided here is for general educational purposes only. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and treatments. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please Call 1 - 800 - CCF - CARE for an appointment at Desk F15 with a cardiologist

[ERL__0]

Posted By ERL on April 30, 1999 at 12:27:13
THANK YOU FOR THE ANSWER TO MY QUESTION ON TAMBACOR. BEFORE THE PACEMAKER WAS IMPLANTED, I HAD ATRIAL FIBRILLATION. I WENT TO ER AND WAS TREATED. AFTER 4 HOURS I CONVERTED TO NSR. AGAIN, LAST YEAR I WENT INTO ATRIAL FIB. AFTER A MONTH I WAS CARDIOVERTED TO NSR. LAST JUNE, I HAD A PERIOD OF SYNCOPE. I WENT TO ER ANDD WAS GIVEN TREATMENT. I WAS IN HOSPITAL FOR THREE DAYS. THE FIRST TWO DAYS I WAS IN NSR WITH 1 PAUSE. THE THIRD DAY THE PACEMAKER WAS IMPLANTED.I FELT WELL TILL JANUARY, WHEN I HAD SOME SOB, FATIGUE AND DIZZINESS. MY BLOOD PRESSURE WAS OK. ON AND OFF SINCE JANUARY, I HAVE HAD PERIODS OF FEELING WELL AND PERIODS OF HAVING THE ABOVE SYMPTONS. MY CARDIOLOGIST SAID I MUST TAKE TAMBACOR TO PREVENT THE RETURN OF ATRIAL FIB. I STILL FEEL VERY TIRED AND SOMETIMES DIZZY AND SOB. I PLAN TO TALK TO MY CARDIOLOGIST VERY SOON.DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS?










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