FLECAINIDE: first dose begins at home or hospital?

[Bon-Bon]

How prevalent is it for some paitents to be prescribed Flecainide for PVC's by their doctors / cardiologists and told to go home and take their first dose and I'll see you this time next year, as I was told; instead, of having the patient admitted for hospital or clinical observation / testing in order to see how their body responds to it first?

In my case, I declined the Flecainide for various reasons.

Bon-Bon

[princessway]

Reading everyone's post on this got me thinking if my EP is an idiot? I was prescribed flecainide by him a year ago for Pacs and refused to take them because of everything i read about the drug. I asked him if it needed to be administered in a hospital setting and he said no because its a form of a"pill in a pocket" According to him, i can take and stop it whenever i feel like it. I decided to try it and have been on it for 2 weeks. It really hasn't done much for my pacs...maybe reduced it somewhat..but i still get them 24/7. Read a whole lot about magnesium taurate and am considering getting off flecainide. I see him april 6th....maybe i'll ask him then...lol!

[SooZeeATL]

I'd find a new EP.

I started Flecainide at home, but was back in the EPs office a few days later for an EKG, then back in again the next week for another EKG, stress test, and echo.

I have afib, which is different than your SVT, but Flecainide (50mg 3Xday) worked great for me with no serious side effects. Just the wild dreams that some people mention. But everyone is different and I was not monitored closely when I started the drug, but compared to what your EP is suggesting, I was!

[NurseL]

I have PVC's, hypertension and SVT that currently is well controlled by Atenolol however this med has caused Psoriasis.  Went through a trial and error period with trying different meds and got increasingly ill with side effects (Lisinopril, Cardizem, etc)....saw an EP at the referral of a local cardiologist.  He wants me to start Flecainide 100 mg 2xdly but have reviewed numerous article on this med and considering my past history with reactions to medications (allergic reactions to numerous also not listed) AM TERRIFIED to take this med leading into an ablation which I have opted for.  No monitor mentioned, no hospital stay, just stop atenolol one day start Flecainide the next and see you in 6 weeks for procedure.  He also has only seen one test strip from one year ago when I was in SVT at the local hospital.  Any thoughts..........please respond as am becoming very doubtful over whole situtation!!!  

[Tjoyce]

Wanted to say that my husband was given a prescription for flecainide without any monitoring and a couple of months later was rushed to the emergency room in congestive heart failure.  I have read that this can be one of the more serious side effects of this drug but he was not warned or monitored in any way.  I don't understand why the doctor didn't start him on any of the other drugs which don't pose such potentiall risks associated with it.  I read the Johns Hopkins recommendation trying other less risky drugs first.  Now we are going to find a new cardiologist for my husband.

[Bon-Bon]

I take this moment to thank each and everyone who has or will post on this poll.  It has been a great help to me.  You have also helped many by sharing your experiences.  I appreciate you all.

Pleasant thoughts to each and everyone.

Blessings,
Bon-Bon

[banglamom]

I'm sorry for your ongoing battle too.  It IS hard.  Flecainide is no picnic... taken with beta-blockers, calcium channel bockers, and ace in hibitors... it rules my life.  I too get very frustrated having to put my heart at the forefront of all decisions.  I too find some comfort interacting with folks from this forum.  I have never met anybody and a couple are really my friends.  People here understand like none of my own friends and family.  I was glad to find it.  I've heard people say it stopped working as well.  I hope it takes a long time because I am 41 and have years of this to look forward to.  I keep waiiting for a new magic bullet.  We all are and as soon as it's found, we will broadcast it to all.  Watch for the news.  Take care.