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flecainide side effects

Hello everyone! I just recently started taking Flecainide (about a month ago)for rhythm issues and pvc's and it has really helped. I have not had any pvc's since starting on it at all and I was having thousands a day every day!  My question is kind of weird. A few days ago I started having leg pain in my left leg. Then it started going numb. It would alternate between pain and numbness. I did not have any swelling though and now it feels better. Could that be a side effect of the medicine that is not listed or should I concerned?
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Avatar universal
Dont waste your time telling an MD about nutrition and health, they know less about it than a line cook at a fast food joint. If they are like the ones Ive dealt with, they will roll their eyes and shake their heads as they tell you these are only anecdotal fables with no positive results. Some supplements interfere with drugs, like Hawthorne root does with Flecainide, so you need to tell them everything  youre taking.  I still use Magnesium oil, (pill form is nearly impossible to take all that you need) and Potassium in hopes of someday ditching the drugs. Lets face it, drugs work most of the time for what they are intended for, unfortunately, they all seem to destroy another part of our bodies.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thats horrible. I usually pride myself on taking alternative supplements before any meds. Unfortunately, the supplements did little to keep me out of Afib. I am Paroxysmal and episodes have only occurred once or twice per year in the same months for the last 4 years. I m wondering now after your post, why my Cardio doctor put me on 100mg of Flec, twice a day? He assured me there was no risk or side effects and it was better than being cardioverted once a year. After reading yours and a few other negative posts, This will be shortened and will only use 300 mg of Flec as a way to get me out of Fib if I go into it.
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Avatar universal
I was on flecainide for 5 years.  I am a teacher and I now have oralmandibular dystonia which effects my speech.  My life has been changed forever.  I did not know that flecainide would do this to me.  Apparently there is damage to my basal ganglia caused by the flecainide was taking 100 mg of flecainide 2 times per day.  I  am so extremely depressed and upset.  I am currently searching for an attorney to sue Amneal the producer of this horrible drug.
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Avatar universal
Has anyone ever had a burning sensation in the chest while taking flecainide? I take 100 mg twice a day since my ablation surgery. Just recently I started getting this burning sensation
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1569985 tn?1328247482
I definitely think talk to your doctor before going off the meds.  Low potassium can contribute to arrythmias, hard to imagine why they didn't do more checking before putting you on high-powered meds.  Good luck, let us know how you are.
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Avatar universal
Hi Guys,

I'm new to this discussion.
I have been taking 250mg fleccanide and 62.5mcg Digoxin daily for 7 years (since I was 26) now. I found this forum by searching for success stories of stopping Fleccanide.
At the time I was diagnosed with my arythmia, my blood test also showed I was very low in iron, potassium and magnesium. It was never mentioned to me that maybe that brought on my episodes, they just started medicating me with not much discussion.
Now that I have been taking my health more seriously and researching everything I'm told, I have found that low iron, potassium and magnesium can all contribute to arythmias. I'm wondering if I could wean off my meds, and have my blood levels checked for these nutrients...maybe all I needed in the first place was some good supplements and healthy eating? What do you think? I am going to make an appointment with my Dr and Cardiologist to see what they say, I'll let you know what they say in case anyone else is in the same situation.
Helpful - 0
996946 tn?1503249112
I wouldn't drink at all while on Pradaxa!  It can be a very dangerous, unpredictable drug.  Not enough is known about the possible consequences.  Flecainide can be dangerous too...if you have any structural issues with your heart.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I went to ER on 10/2012 , heart rate was 150. Discharged 2 days later, and doc put me on Diltiazem, which worked pretty well. I was able to go dancing,
some drinking. Then doc told me to have cardioversion for rhythm control.
Started me on Pradaxa for 30 days, then last 2 days before cardioversion,
taking flecainide 100mg twice a day.
On the day of cardioversion, my heart get back to sinus rhythm!
So no cardioversion for me.
But I can feel the palpitations and throbings which is uncomfortable.
So right now I am on Pradaxa, Diltiazem and flecainide 100mg/twice daily.
Heart is in SR. But I don't feel as good as when I was on rate control with only Diltiazem. When I use alcoholic mouthwash, I can feel the start of
throbing.

If long term rate control is OK, I'll ask the doc to let me go with rate control, since I don't have symptoms while on Diltiazem.
Helpful - 0
996946 tn?1503249112
Have you had your blood pressure checked lately?  I never had that issue while I was on flecainide
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have been on flecianide for 6 months for Afib. Has anyone had the constant throbbing of heartbeat in the ears? This is very annoying at times.
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996946 tn?1503249112
Does your little daughter wear a heart monitor at times?  I hope her Pediatric Electrophysiologist is staying on top of her condition, checking her liver enzymes and kidney function often.  Flecainide is a pretty strong drug, Rhythmol is a little less harsh.  Does she have to be on a blood-thinner like warfarin or coumadin?  I do know that if an adult has any structural issue with their heart, their Dr. can't put them on flecainide. How long do her attack last?  I assume she is on a constant monitor?
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Avatar universal
my 18 month old daughter has been on flecanide for six weeks along with propanol for prolonged svt attacks. I am terrified as the gp has just advised that it is unlicenced for children.
Helpful - 0
996946 tn?1503249112
The only med I am on for my heart, other than a statin, is a blood-thinner.  I haven't been having a-fib but I do get short bouts of tachycardia although les and less frequently.  I take 25mg ToprolXL and that cuts it down to just a few minutes, and I haven't had any episodes for a long time but my EP still won't take me off the blood-thinner.

I've said this on here before on another thread ....My Dr told me that muscle has memory, your heart is a muscle, therefore when it gets in the "habit" of going into a-fib or whatever arrhythmia, it automatically goes back to that abherent pathway.  If you can manage to stay out of it long enough the theory goes that it will learn to use the new or "right" pathway and you won't be bothered by the arrhythmia any more.  But I have to say that without the ablation and a lot of prayer on my part, I don't think I'd be doing anywhere near as well as I am doing today.
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Avatar universal
thankyou, thats what my cardiologist said too, healthy heart no problems taking it. When and if it stops working cross that bridge then. I have read a couple of aticles where people have been on it for over twenty years and no problems. Course the temptaion is to come off it and see what happens but i am scared of that also, its good to finally talk to people going throught the same, thankyou
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Avatar universal
thankyou for your comments. My cardiologist said that he considers an ablation as quite a risky prodedure and would only recommend if treatment failed to work. He said that even an ablation can sometimes not work and in some cases actually make it worse. Not on blood thinners at present as again he did not think necessary. To be honest when i went 5 years clear i thought it was gone. Even went through labour and no problem at all. Although i suppose AF itself isn't dangerous other than obviously a clot problem, i suppose it would be quite debilitating should you be in all the time. I think what i need as much as anything is mental support but my GP seems very flippant about it, as i suppose most people who have not experienced it does. Glad its work for you, you must be soo happy. Are you on any meds now?
Helpful - 0
1903111 tn?1333213054
I am on Propafenone (Rythmol) an antiarrythmic.
I did not want to take it either. I was super scared to take it and told my Dr how fearful I was.
The first EP Dr I saw said it could kill me!  He said it was because he was not convinced my arrythmia was not  the life threatening kind.
The second opinion that I saw, a much older and more experienced Dr, EP wrote in all caps on piece of paper:
Anti-arrythmics
Young Age (41)
Low Dose
Healthy Heart
Will NOT hurt you!
I have been on them a month now and it is really helping.
I did not start them in the hospital.
Although, I do get pacs everyday.

Ablation scheduled 3-16-12

Helpful - 0
996946 tn?1503249112
Have you ever considered getting an ablation for the a-fib?  I was on flecainide and just about all the anti-arrhythmic drugs and they work but not long-term.  Flecainide can be a dangerous drug, especially if there are any other issues with your heart (anything structurally).  I had peripheral vision disturbances pretty bad.

Are you currently taking a blood-thinner?  I did have a PVI Ablation a year ago Sept and have not had a-fib for over a year now. It might be worth considering since you've been dealing with this for so long.

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Avatar universal
Hello. My name is Jo. I am a 43 yr old female that has had PAF for 15 years now. Was on Flecainide pill in the pocket approach. Was clear for 5 years with just the odd flutter now and again when all of a sudden its back. 8 episodes in two weeks. Went to see cardiologist and had echocardiogram which revealed my heart to be normal. Have been put on Flecainide full time now 100mg twice daily. 6 months free with one two minute episode. Dizzy spells now and again but visual disturbances a lot. Constantly worried about this drug but it is working for me. My only problem is that i am taking a potentially life threatening drug for a non life threatening arrythmia. Going back to docs this week to discuss, but they are all for it.
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Avatar universal
I felt so alone! I have PVC and skipped beats! So happy to see Im not the only one! I wish they could find the reasons for all this. I have a new symptom I feel dizzy I cant breath and it is hard to walk and it keeps me up at night Im on a beta blocker for two years and it stopped working.I go to the cardioligist next week for a eco stress test. He wants me to start me on Felecainide! scard. I also have Lupus! On lots of meds! Has anyone delt with any of this? God Bless you all!
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Avatar universal
I was diagnosed with a-fib this past june, after completing chemo tratment for the 4th time over a long period of time, had to have my port removed and it wasw determined the port was infected at the site, I waS VERY ILL FOR A NUMBER OF DAYS WITH HIGH FEVER ETC. WHILE IN THE hospital I was put on a very high dosage of a drug , can't remeber the name, starts with an M, 400mg 2times a day, when I got home I wa very ill and could not eat, the doctor changed it to Flecainde 50 mg. 2x a day, and in the a.m. baby aspirin.  I also have low energy, and get very cold and then very hot, which is making me crazy. anyone out there have the same side effects?
Helpful - 0
1492608 tn?1308920473
hi,

you will hear a lot about this drug. if you're really scared of dropping dead because of flecainide, maybe you'll need to try another one that isn't so controversial. It's not good if you feel that the drug works on your heart but in the same time you walking around and scared of dying...  A lot of people/doctors have their own opinion about flecainide. my own opinion is that its your body, your heart, your life. if your not comfortable you may need to find other options. talk with your doctor about this, maybe he can explain flecainide for you. it might calm you down or you'll hear about other possibilities.

I also have the same issues with alcohol. Drinking is the same like asking for arrhythmia, not the next day, but the day after. I got this with flecainide, also with rythmol (very similar to flecainide). But also without any drugs - it makes sense; alcohol is toxic. I think its easier to deal with arrhythmia after alcohol, because then I know why i get it, other days it doesn't make sense.

Good luck to you, hope you'll figure it out.    
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey everyone,

I'm a 25 year old male who has sometimes severe tachycardia, when I first went to the cardiologist, he put me on beta-blockers that had little to no improvement on my condition, then I went on Flecainide 1 pill twice a day (50 mg per dose I believe) and had no side affects. My condition seems to worsen the next day if I drink alcohol the previous night, but don't get out of control.

I have stayed on that medication for over a year, and went about 5 months with little or no episodes. About a month ago my symptoms came back and I just went to the doctor this week and he increased my dose to 2 pills twice a day.

A lady at work who has basically the same condition I have was prescribed the same medication. Her brother in law is a doctor, and told her as soon as he found out she was on the meds to stop taking them immediately. His brother in law dropped dead and luckily was revived by CPR due to side affects of this medication.

I am concerned that I am just now hearing about the risk of sudden heart failure and concerned about taking this medication and my cardiologist never telling me of the potential deadly side affects. I have read the majority of your posts and wanted to get your opinion on alternative meds that I may be willing to take. I also am concerned that alcohol may increase these chance of something wrong happening.

The only side affects I have experience were numbness of the mouth throat for about 45 mins to an hour.

Thanks for all the help
Helpful - 0
1492608 tn?1308920473
Hi Linda and all,

My reentry nonsustain VT returned and all the other arrhythmia got more frequent. I talked to the cardiologist about it, and he could see that flecainide had lost its effect on my heart. I asked if I could get a higher dosage of flecainide, but I'm slim and not very tall - so he wouldn't give me more flecainide.
My options is to try ablation again (tried it three times without any luck) or try a new medication. On wednesday Im starting the new medication, Rytmonorm, in the hospital. The cardiologist said that the medication is very similar to flecainide, so usually it doesn't have any effect if flecainide didn't work. But I'll try it because of my poor options.

I didn't need to wean it of, I just had to stop flecainide. I stopped flecainide 17 march, and to be honest; I don't feel any difference, only that I got more energy and the arrythmia is easier to provoke.

How are the rest of you doing?    
Helpful - 0
996946 tn?1503249112
Hi there....well it's 3 months later....how are you doing?  Are you still in NSR?  I weaned off the flecainide finally completely a couple of weeks ago.  I am feeling pretty good.  Let us hear how you are doing....off the flecainide....and the beta blocker?
Helpful - 0
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