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Flecainide |
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What is Flecainide and why is it prescribed? Flecainide is prescribed to treat certain heart rhythm disturbances, including paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Flecainide may sometimes cause or worsen heartbeat irregularities and certain heart conditions, such as heart failure. Before prescribing Flecainide, your doctor will weigh the drug's risks and benefits. Your condition will be monitored throughout your treatment. How should you take Flecainide? Follow your doctors directions for taking Flecainide. In almost every case, your doctor will initiate Flecainide therapy in the hospital. Serious heartbeat disturbances may result if you do not follow your doctor's instructions, if you miss any regular doses, or if you increase or decrease the dosage without consulting your doctor. Your doctor may order regular blood tests to monitor your therapy. If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember if it is within 6 hours of your scheduled time. If you do not remember until later, skip the dose you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once. Store Flecainide at room temperature in a tightly closed container, away from light. Are there any Flecainide side effects? Flecainide side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Flecainide has a wide variety of possible effects on the heart, including new or worsened heartbeat abnormalities, heart attack, congestive heart failure, and heart block. If any develop, inform your doctor immediately. Only your doctor can determine whether it is safe for you to continue taking Flecainide. Other Flecainide side effects may include abdominal pain, angina pectoris, anxiety, apathy, appetite loss, chest pain, confusion, constipation, convulsions, decreased sex drive, depression, diarrhea, difficult or labored breathing, dizziness, dry mouth, edema, exaggerated feeling of well-being, excessive urine, eye pain or irritation, fainting, fatigue, fever, flushing, gas, hair loss, headache, heart palpitations, high or low blood pressure, hives, impotence, inability to urinate, indigestion, insomnia, intolerance of light, involuntary eye movements, itching, joint pain, lack of coordination, loss of sense of identity, lung inflammation or other conditions, malaise, memory loss, morbid dreams, muscle pain, nausea, numbness or tingling, paralysis, rash, reduced sensitivity to touch, ringing in the ears, skin inflammation and peeling, sleepiness, speech problems, stupor, sweating, swollen lips, tongue, and mouth, taste changes, tremor, twitching, vertigo, vision problems, vomiting, weakness, and wheezing. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Flecainide? If Flecainide is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Flecainide with Amiodarone (Cordarone), Beta blockers (blood pressure drugs such as Inderal, Tenormin, and Sectral), Carbamazepine (Tegretol), Cimetidine (Tagamet), Diltiazem (Cardizem), Disopyramide (Norpace), Nifedipine (Procardia), Phenobarbital, Phenytoin (Dilantin), Quinidine (Quinidex), or Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin). Are there any special warnings about Flecainide? If you have a pacemaker, you should be monitored very closely while taking Flecainide. If you have liver disease, Flecainide could build up in your system. Your doctor will prescribe the drug only if the benefits outweigh the risks. In addition, you should have frequent blood tests to make sure your dosage is not too high. If you have a history of congestive heart failure or a weak heart, you may be at increased risk for dangerous cardiac side effects from Flecainide. If you have very alkaline urine, perhaps caused by a kidney condition or by a strict vegetarian diet, your body will tend to process and eliminate Flecainide rather slowly and you may need a lower-than-average dosage. If the potassium levels in your blood are too high or too low, your doctor will want to correct the condition before allowing you to take Flecainide. If you have kidney failure, your doctor will want to watch you closely. |
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Information on this website is provided for educational purposes and should not replace discussions with your doctor. |
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