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Anyone else on Flecainide and taking famotidine/Pepcid for GERD?
I have had GERD for years, and took PPIs. Five years ago, after a negative reaction to the long-term PPI use, the gastro doc took me off PPIs and switched me to Pepcid. That has worked. Well, in July I was put on Flecainide after an episode of paroxysmal AFib showed up on a monitor. Recently I have read that it can be dangerous to take famotidine if taking Flecainide as it can cause life-threatening arythmia in some cases. I will discuss with my cardio when I see him at my next appointment... but I'm just wondering if there is anyone else here on Flecainide that also takes Pepcid (famotidine) to control GERD??? If so, has your doctor commented on it? I cannot go back to the PPIs... and if I stop the Pepcid, the GERD will be much worse. 🙁 Best wishes to all... and Happy Holidays! Mike
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You might find something very close to your medication for GERD in this list:
https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/flecainide.html
Please remember that, although there may be no apparent contraindication, even a slight one, mentioned in this article, it doesn't follow that YOU don't do well on the combination, especially when the two medications chase one another down the gut within an hour or two. You may have to spread them out during the day.
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3 ReactionsThank you for sharing this link. Very helpful.
Hi Mike - I am on Flecainide (100 mg twice a day) and I also take famotidine. I am now taking it every day. In fact, my doctor just suggested taking it twice a day. All of my doctors have a list of my medications, and no one has suggested a conflict. However, after reading the article (thank you for sending, Gloaming) - I will definitely be asking my doctors about this. I have been taking both medicines for 9 months, when I had AF. I have been out of AF since June and am still on the flecainide. I have not had any instances of arrhythmia, and I am well monitored because I have a pacemaker. I would say that the two medications have not cause a problem for me, and I hope they will not cause a problem for you, as well. Betty
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2 ReactionsThank you so much for sharing your experience with both meds, Betty!! I've been on both since July with no issues, so I don't expect any. But I will bring it up to my cardio when I see him next. Happy Holidays!! Mike
Note that there is an apparent possible unwanted effect if a person using flec also takes apixaban (Eliquis), but no apparent interaction if you are on, or switch to (with cardiologist's say-so) rivaroxaban.
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2 ReactionsGood to know. Adding it to my list of things to discuss with my cardio. Thank you!!
Consider looking into using apple cider vinegar drink to control GURD. I have seen a few studies where it has really helped people. I use a ACV drink each morning. But, be careful to avoid having it contact with your teeth..it is wildly acidic….use a straw.
Thanks for the tip. I read up on home remedies and one suggestion was honey. I've been having a tablespoon full of honey when it acts up and that seems to work!! 🙂 Happy Holidays!
I'm replying to you, but I hope Katie sees this as well. Yes, absolutely, apple cider vinegar DOES work, and very reliably. It's every bit as good as Pepcid or Xanax or whatever else you find works for you, but in fact it has none of the well-established drawbacks of those formulations......meaning it's actually considerably better. And it's not even man-made...it's natural!
This is only my anecdote, but several times in the past year I have found myself nearing bed, hours after having supper, and find I'm belching acidic fumes and knowing I won't do well in bed lying down. I remind myself to swallow at least one full tbsp of straight (yikes!) ACV, nothing added, and you don't need the sugar or honey (! calories!). I kid you not, the feeling of reflux and indigestion stops within a minute or two, and I can literally go to bed with maybe one more burp, not a belch, and it isn't acidic.
There's a reason this works: the pyloric valve at the top of your stomach is activated by the presence of stomach acids. If you eat a meal, but don't produce sufficient acid to lower the PH in your stomach sufficiently, the pyloric valve doesn't get the signal to close itself. If you run straight ACV, no dilution....straight...down your esophagus, the pyloric valve takes that as the cue to close itself, and with that you stop an GERD or reflux.
It works.