Switch from amiodarone to Flecainide for VT

I was on Amiaderone for 10+ months and I did not have access to my bloodwork. The doctors never said there were any abnormalities, but I was having very bad side effects on my thyroid, liver and heart, along with fatigue, weight loss and extreme dizziness. At the end of the year, the cardiologist and electrophysiologist switched me to Flecainide and the side effects got worse. Since you have a different issue with the Amiaderone than I it is a different situation, but when I checked the information about Amiaderone itself, it does have a long 1/2 life. So, I would ask your doctor if adding the Flecainide before the Amiaderone is out of your system is okay. In my case the two drugs so closely together I believe caused more debilitating side effects than if the doctors may have prescribed the Flacainide later. In any event, I thought I'd give you my experience with the 2 drugs since there were downsides in my case. Jo

Thanks Jomak for your comment here. I made the switch to Flecainide 3 days ago and I keep getting constant arrhythmias, things that were not happening before. I can’t even walk because I feel the increase in my heart rate and pretty sure this is because the new medicine. My doctor told me to continue with the prescribed dose of 100 mg twice per day but will need to talk to her if the symptoms persist or get worse

I was on flecainide 100 mg/2 per day for years. Loved the drug. Had afib for 30 days non-stop and the hospital put me on amiodarone instead of a cardiovert . My doctor did inform me that I could only be on the drug for one year because of the side effects. I hope I can go back on the flecainide. Never had a problem with this drug.

Why did you stop taking Flecainide? Was this because the 30 days of continues afib? If so, why did you like it if it wasn’t working? Sorry want to make sure I understand the reasoning

I finally went to the hospital and they put me on amiodarone. The flecainide did not lower the BPM. So far the amiodarone is working to lower the BPM but did not stop the afib.. I did have to be cardioverted. I hope I can go back on flecainide someday but time will tell.

After 4 miserable days of Flecainide, my proarrhytmias and PVCs increased tremendously and I was without energy. Doctor decided to switch me back to 200 mg of amiodarone 2/day and 150 mg of Mexiteline 3/day. Planning to start with this tomorrow

I take 100 mg of flecainide 2x a day. Originally only 1x per day but doctor increased it to 2x when my arrhythmias seemed to not be as well controlled. I sometimes forget my morning dose and it doesn't seem to effect me much either way. I was put on flecainide at the onset of my issues (SVTs, PVCs). I was also on metaprolol but that tanked my BP and was thankfully taken off. I haven't been prescribed any other drug for my condition, so have no awareness of what might work better. The flecainide works, but isn't 100%. I don't even know if these kinds of drugs are supposed to be 100% effective, meaning no issues, or not?

Thanks bextrulove, very useful information