Contraindicated - Antibiotics vs Beta Blockers

[FJOHNONE]

I am on Flecainide (50mg) for two years along with Cartia. I have an ear infection needing antibiotics (Levaquin. 500mg). The pharmacist said that these two meds are contraindicated. My cardiologist said to go off of Flecainide for 2 weeks while taking the Levaquin.
The bad news is that I am scared to go off on a med that I have been taking for a long time. The good news is that I will find out if the meds are causing my daily symptoms of nausea, extreme fatigue, sleepiness and I don't need anti arrhythmic agents for A-Fib. Its an opportunity and I am going to grab it regardless of the fear.
Anyone who has dealt with the interaction of a beta blocker with an antibiotic?

[sick and tired 47]

Good luck to you. Do keep us posted, we all love sucess stories!!!
I may change my name one day, still working on feeling 100% ,but  will settle for 99%, I am not giving up... will die trying ( won't we all?)
Levaquin..... YUCK, hate that medicine!!!! I wish you well with that too!!!

[FJOHNONE]

Well, if you goal is to help somebody, you have done it with me. Well done and I am very grateful.
Now we must do something about your user name...how about, "Healthy and Hearty."
Gee, 48 hours without flecainide and I'm still on sinus rhythm. I feel like hell with this ear infection and the Levaquin, but so far, so good.
I am keeping my journal daily and I won't bore you with a day to day synopsis, but I would like to help you in return. I am a good listener.
Blessings,

[FJOHNONE]

Thank you for explaining a difficult issue in a way I could understand. I appreciate that. To tell the truth, I don't think I would be off the flecainide for two weeks if it wasn't for my ear infection. I wouldn't have done it on my own. I wonder how many never try a "timeout" from antiarrhytmics, even for a few weeks, and see what happens? Especially those that have an intolerance to them.
So, here I go for 13 days, feel like hell today, but I'm on my way. Thanks for your support and I won't bother you with a day to day update, but know I am on my way.
Blessings,

[banglamom]

Flecainide is not a beta blocker.  The interaction problem at hand is with the QT interval.  Flecainide stretches out the QT interval and so do the abx, but put them together and it is much more than a  simple 1+1 =2 effect- they actually potentiate each other.  Whe I had a sinus infection this winter, they had to look hard for an abx to put me on to treat it.  I don't think you have to WEAN off flec like a beta-blocker.  They don't work the same way.  I would love to come off them for a while and get a chance to separate out some side effects.  Let me know what you determine.  Sounds like you are making the best out of the situation.  Keep you cardiologist in the loop and keep him/her up to date if rhythm probs start.  By the way, after the abx, when I got the ensing YEAST infection, I couldn't take the diflucan for that either with the flecainide.   I hope the infection cure goes quick and easy and you figure out plenty about your antiarrhythmics.  Take care.

[sick and tired 47]

I want to say thank you for your wonderful comments. I really, really feel I was "blessed' with this health situation so that someday I will help someone else thru tough times. It is what gets me thru my bad days.

Just keep saying... I will not give up, I will not be defeated, I am going to be healthy
again!!!

[FJOHNONE]

I want to call you "healthy and tired." Sounds more hopeful and thats how I see you.
Here is my plan: I have been prescribed levaquin and prednisone for my ear infection. I have to get off flecainide for two weeks so that I can use the levaquin. I am keeping a journal the next two weeks and record what I feel. I have been on an antiarrythmic for two years and this will be the first time I am off. If my symptoms diminish, if I stay in sinus rhythm, I think I can draw some conclusions that may effect the quality of my days.
Like you, I want to gain control of my body/heart. I know best and I'll be darned if I stop trying and let fear rule.
You go, Girl.

[sick and tired 47]

Did they tell you to "wean" off the flecainide or go cold turkey?? My cardio just said to stop, had some serious issues for a week , then okay. The pharmacist said you should always slowly decrease. I would clarify by dr... you could feel worse from stopping suddenly.... don't want that!!!
Good luck, you will do fine!!!

[Jerry_NJ]

I take 100 mg Metoprolol a day and take an antibiotic before any dental work, which has been twice in the last 30 days.  The antibiotic I took is 2000 mg of amoxicillin.  I have not experienced any interaction - and my dentist and cardiologist both know I'm taking both, in fact the cardiologist wrote the prescription for the antibiotic.