heart medication

I hope you can help me. Due to numerous and life ruining pvc's my cardiologist put me on tambocor.  I can't find much info on this drug. What I did find scared me.  I went to my doctor with this info. He told me that most of the people that did die from this medication had problems with heart structure or post heart attacks. Do you know if there is any info of anyone with a healthy heart and dying from tambocor. I have had an echo,stress test and monitor. He said my heart is normal. I'm 32 and a mother of two. I'm afraid I will drop dead from the meds. I have been taking tambocor for about 3 months now and has almost completely stopped my pvcs. Any info would be greatly apprecciated. oh and I have mild mvp.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Dear Bonnie,

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 PVC's.  It would depend upon how disturbing the PVC's are to you, what previous drugs you have tried and what your underlying medical condition is.  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.

[jennette]

I've been on tambocor for over a year. I had a hole in the top part of my heart.It was operated on but I still have a few other complications.The tambocor I am on is called tambocor cr which is a slow release one, 200mg once a day. I don't know for sure but I have been feeling real bad lately. Lots of headaches lasting all day and into the night. Also I have been extemely
tired needing a rest in the afternoon. I think it's from the tablets but i take others too. It seems to me that you have information on this drug that might help me. Would you mind chatting to me on line about it.I am a new computer owner so do'nt know if this is appropriate but would like to find out more on this drug.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Sorry, we don't have any online chat.  The best information of course is from your own MD.