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Talk about flecainide
I saw a quick comment somewhere here that flecainide is really bad.
So..I did a bit of checking….every reference I found said that the risk of liver and or kidney damage requires the patient to be closely monitored. Wow…I was put on this and told nothing about monitoring…further I was told that the risk for low. That’s not what I am reading.
Also, I found this at drugs.com (frankly I think they wouldn’t publish without the facts to support it):
Warning
Oral route (Tablet)
Excessive mortality or nonfatal cardiac arrest rate was seen in patients with asymptomatic non-life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and with myocardial infarction for more than six days but less than two years previously who received flecainide, compared with patients assigned to a carefully matched placebo in the Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial (CAST). Consider the risks of Class IC agents (including flecainide) and the lack of evidence of improved survival, which is generally unacceptable in a patient without life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, even if the patient is experiencing unpleasant, but not life-threatening, symptoms or signs. Flecainide is not recommended for use in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation. Case reports of ventricular proarrhythmic effects in patients treated with flecainide for atrial fibrillation/flutter have included increased premature ventricular contractions, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and death.
If you followed my story here, you know that I rarely have an episode and never lasts more than a few minutes. Been this way for 8 years. Hardly what I would call a life threatening condition. (Especially now I am on eliquis).
I suppose I could go back to my primary…but, it is unacceptable to enlist help to confront the EP? I worry that I might get fired by the doc if he feels I am just trouble. So, I cannot get into the EP for 2 more weeks…(remember closely monitoring?). I am inclined to just taper off this and then quit.
What would you do with this knowledge?
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I do not do well with flecanide. Too high a dose makes me feel drunk and slur my speech. Also could not take in evening as it would lower my heart rate into the 30s. Since my ablation have not needed.
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3 ReactionsI had the sane terrible symptoms with flecainide people are describing including waking up in horrible pain in my back. I tried 4 different times to see if I could deal with it and no luck. I have refused to take it.
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3 ReactionsI take 50mg twice a day.
No problems. But, it is a powerful drug.
If you have limited AFib ( just a few minutes every once in a while), I think I would ask about something else.
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2 ReactionsI have persistent (or possibly permanent) afib. Doctor did an initial cardioversion, lasted less than 2 days. He wants me to go on Flecainide and have another cardioversion, then an ablation. I am really leary about taking this drug, especially with all I have read about it. I only take Xerelto right now and have no appetite for any additional prescription meds, especially ones like this. I am not sure where to turn at this point but am going to try and get a 2nd opinion from Mayo.
I just looked up the side effects of flecainide.
Difficult or labored breathing. dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness. fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse. shortness of breath. tightness in the chest. wheezing.
Eliquis - Breathing problems or wheezing. Racing heart. Fever or general ill feeling. Swollen lymph nodes, Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, Trouble swallowing or throat tightness, Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives, Nausea or vomiting, Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting, Stomach cramps, Joint pain, Serious Bleeding. Eliquis can cause serious bleeding. In rare cases, this can lead to death. Some patients with serious bleeding may need a blood transfusion or surgery. Any bleeding that lasts a long time, will not stop, or is very severe Bleeding from the gums, Frequent or severe nosebleeds, Abnormal vaginal bleeding or very heavy menstrual periods, Pink, red, or brown urine (pee), Blood in your stools (this may look red or black and tarry), Vomit with blood that looks like coffee grounds, Headaches or feeling dizzy
Coughing up blood or blood clots
What would I do with this knowledge? I would wean myself off of Eliquis. Never go see the doc again, or tell him to fly a kite. I would eliminate all caffeine which I do. Drink water if you are not. And go my merry way improving my diet.
I was on flecanide, diltiazem, and Eliquis for a number of years, still on diltiazem and Eliquis. I never had any side effects from any of the drugs. Everyone is different.
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1 ReactionWas on Flecainide (& Eliquis) for many years. My doctor preferred Rythmol but it didn’t work for me. He did not like Flecainide & said it would eventually backfire on me. It did & I was in hospital for 3 days. Flecainide discontinued @ Amiodarone prescribed. It worked for 2 1/2 years, then I changed Cardiologists & asked if I could stop Amiodarone. I’ve been off Amiodarone for 1 month & hope to never take it again. Still on Eliquis (for many years).
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