atrial fib and the long term side effects of flecanide

[jerzgirl]

I am taking 50 mgs of flecanide twice a day for control of aatrial fib episodes since march '07.  I have been given the choice of staying on the flecanide or not taking it but if i should have an episode i could take 300 mgs at one time.  
all of it scares me, I am ok on the flecanide but am concerned about the long term side effects to other organs as well as my heart but also taking 300 mgs at one time also scares me because i don't know how i would do on that and if that is safe either.  HELP!

[edlaf]

I've been on flecainide for AF about a year at 100 mg twice daily. I haven't had an episode since, except for an occasional flip-flop. I also take Diovan 80 mg HCT/12 for moderate high blood pressure which does control it. Initial reaction was fatigue and feeling a little foggy as I remember but has pretty much cleared up. I'm 64. My resting heart rate now (mid 50s) is actually a little higher than it was before these meds (high 40s). I get my heart rate into the 100-130 range during exercise (biking, running) depending how hard I work at it.
Hope this helpful.

[raymond134]

10 years ago i found out i had high plattlets and high blood pressure and af . the af was only a missing beat but has progressed on to out of rythym at least a third of every day. my blood pressure and plattlets are now contained. i was on dixion and amiodorone but now they have changed the amiodorone to flecainide. i have read your report and was just wondering is it really working for you because if this does not work i have to consider the invasive surgury of freezing parts of the arterries. how do you find this drug my age is 49

[kevk]

In April I will have been on Flecainide for 15 years at 150 mg twice daily. So far the only symptoms I have is fatigue, Blurred vision once in a while. I am not sure if it is a side effect but my exercise heart rate only gets to the upper 60`s.
I was put on the med for sustained V-tach and svt. I still get short bursts of v-tach but at a much slower rate 150 range. My ICD has not discharged since starting flecainide.

[Tigersguy]

A year ago, at the age of 56,  I had a first episode of heart problems when I devleoped SVT in the middle of the night with a heart rate of 180.  I was given amioderone in hospital which seemed to work and was put on a beta blocker.  Two seeks later I had an episode of AF with an irregular rate of around 120 and ended up in hospital again in the middle of the night.  I was then put on sotalol which didn't wok and over the next few weeks I was having daily episodes lasting from 1-6 hours but always eventually converting back to normal rhythm.  I then saw a private cardiologist and, after having a heart scan which showed it to be fairly normal structutally, he put me on flecainide 50mg twice a day.  This worked most of the time but I was still getting a breakthrough about once a month.  So I have progressed to first 50mg 3 times a day and now 100mg twice a day. This now seems to be working and I haven't had an episode for over two months.

BUT - I am worried about long term effects and can't seem to find much on this by googling.  It seems to be better than the alternative of having palpitations on a daily basis.  I have talked to my cardiologist about ablation but not sure I am ready to go there yet and he isn't recomendign ti at his stage.  

In terms of side effects I seem to get very tired a lot of the time but nothing much else.

If anyone has any longer term experience, ie years of using flecainide I would be pelased to hear from them.

[cookieno1]

I have been taking 100 mil. Of fleckenide twice a day for a long time.  I had an oblation 3weeks ago.  The Dr. Told me that he thought I could stop it.  I didn't take it yesterday and last night,  I felt horable.  I got up and took 50 mil. And went back to bed.I took 50 mil. Today.  But I don't feel very well.  Does anyone know how I should go off it.

[cookieno1]

Boy I don't know where the&#39 came from

[sajay500]

Hi there,

I'm a thirty five year old male.

I've been on 100mg of flecainide taken twice daily for about a year now - the reason being that i had bouts of A.F and like you used to take 300mg in one go as cardioversion' . As these became more frequent it was decided by my cardiologist to plumb for 100 mg twice daily, since this i have had no probs other than the occasional 'flutter' when stressed!.

Please don't worry,I have an excellent Dr i see privately who assures me that flecainide is safe in long-term use for persons with health hearts. I have no side affects and don't know I'm taking it.

Here is a tip; In the morning you brush your teeth have a shower (looking after your body -right) now you just lookng after your insides too.

As my Dr said to me...there is no such thing a a perfect human body, thank goodness for the knowledge we have  - A fib can now be controlled.
Be happy and very kindest wishes to you- and please do not worry. If ou want to chat further please reply.
Simon. Birmingham U.K

[amanda82]

Hi!
I have been on Flecainde since July. I also take Dig .25 once a day. One the Flecainde I take 150 twice a day. I've never had any problems with either. I do sometime go into AFib at night but that's because I think I need to be on the Dig twice a day. Anyway, when I got on the Flecainde orginally I was taking 100 twice and they told me that my heart rate may drop. I am on a ZERO exercise restriction, but during my last stress test my goal was 160 and that was my resting heartrate. So... I know this probably isn't helping anyone but I am just glad to know someone else is one it. When I have to mention it to anyone they are like... "What?, what is that" Do ya'll get the same thing?