flecainide side effects

[Smallbo]

Hi,

Following a second ablation and rapid recurrence of AFib, I have been prescribed Flecainide, twice daily. I’m really struggling with side effects - most of which are as described in the leaflet which can with the tablets. Having been taking the tablets twice daily for 10 days, the side effects seem to be getting worse.

Has anyone had this problem and do the side effects get better?

[Bluemoon47]

Sorry to hear you are struggling with Flecainide, it's not something I take but there are several other posts about it on the BHF posts. Might be worth searching for it and contacting someone who has posted about it. Hope you get some useful answers soon.

[Crystal614]

Hi, I take Flecainide, I was prescribed it for SVT. I have been taking it for nearly 3 years. The only problem I had when I first started taking it was with my kidney function. I have CKD, for the first few months my kidney function dropped further. Eventually it went back to where it would normally be. Otherwise I've had no other side effects from this drug. If you are struggling with the side effects then perhaps speak with your doctor. Maybe there is other medication you could try?

[KeepingHealthy]

I have been exactly the same as you following my 2nd Ablation at the beginning of March. My AF symptoms were worse than before and when my Cardiologist prescribed Flecainide, I expected to feel much better, but I got worse. I have since been advised to stop the Flecainide because my Kardia Mobile Device was detecting Tachycardia. I was told to increase the dose of Bisaprolol instead, since then I have been feeling much better in myself and not had any AF episodes or Tachycardia. I don't have much energy with taking the Bisaprolol, but I can live with that at the moment, I am appreciating not living in fear of going into AF or Tachycardia which had been happening on pretty much a daily basis. If you think that Flecainide isn't suiting you, I would suggest that you contact your Cardiologist for advice. Good Luck.

[Siebertgirl in reply to KeepingHealthy]

When you were told to stop Flecainide did you have to wean off it or just stop cold turkey?

[KeepingHealthy in reply to Siebertgirl]

Hi, I was told to stop taking them altogether, but I had only been taking them for a month. My heart rate did increase by extra 20bpm for a few days which concerned me, but I spoke with a BHF Cardiac Nurse about it because my Cardiologist was on holiday. She was very reassuring and said it could be due the change of medication and it may settle down in a few days and it did! Thank goodness. I'm still taking 5mg Bisaprolol per day and fingers crossed, so far so good. My Cardiologist has since said that I am totally intolerant of Flecainide because I had pretty much every side effect possible.

[1082]

I never got on with Flecanide and after my second ablation my cardiologist agreed to me having a ‘tablet in your pocket’. I take my Kardia Mobile most places and if I think I’ve gone into AF do a quick test and take 6 tablets. This gets me back into sinus rhythm and life goes on!