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Flecaidine Acetate
I have a-fib and cardiologist prescribed Flecaidine acetate 50 mg twice a day. I have read about it in depth on Internet and it reads to me like a dangerous drug with many serious unpredictable side effects. Does anyone take it? Any problems/issues with side effects? I’ve a loop recorder implanted and had had 3 ablations which last one was only 80% effective. Flecaidine also has a moderate interaction with Trizepatide which I take for sleep apnea.
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Literally millions of earthlings take flecainide, or any of the other more common AAD's like Multaq, Sotolol, propafenone, etc. They're deemed safe, but not all patients tolerate them. If they don't work, or they cannot be tolerated, then there are two options left: live with the arrhythmia (AF won't kill you), or have a pacemaker installed if the AF rate is too high and involves RVR (rapid ventricular response).
Some react poorly to flecainide (correct spelling). Many more take it routinely and suffer no ill effects. Nobody knows, with the current science, until they try it.
I take it that you have tried CPAP treatment and not done well with it, hence the apnea drug?
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1 ReactionI took flecainide along with diltiazem for a number of years without any side effects. After a successful ablation and mitral valve repair surgery, I am now only on diltiazem.
Have been on Flecainide - along with 25 other meds - for over 11 years now. Have never had a problem with side effects, thankfully. That said, everyone is different and react to meds differently as well. I would advise that you discuss your concerns with your doctor.
I am a year into A-fib diagnosis and after several "episodes" of arrhymia lasting a few hours and one trip to the ED where I cardioverted on my own, I asked for an electrophysiologist. I wanted an ablation and he was agreeable but asked if I wanted to try Flecainide first. Since I had had a rather long stretch without problems, I said I would try "Plan A" and if the med didn't work, then I wanted "Plan B" (ablation). I took the med for a couple of weeks and although the side effects were rather mild, I too read about the drug and decided it wasn't something I was comfortable with taking long term. I took myself off it and called the doc; I want plan B and that is what I am having in the next week. All drugs are technically poison with the benefits hopefully outweighing the downside affects, but an ablation for me makes sense. The fewer meds I take, the better and I want this treated before it spreads to a place where an ablation is more complicated or several are required. Just my opinion. Everyone needs to do what is best for them.
It’s your body, so you get to decide what you’re comfortable doing.