What does flecainide do for the heart?

Flecainide is used to prevent certain types of life-threatening irregular heartbeats. Flecainide is in a class of medications called antiarrhythmics. It works by slowing electrical signals in the heart to stabilize the heart rhythm.

Can flecainide stop atrial fibrillation?

Flecainide is used to prevent or treat irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) such as paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation/flutter (PAF). Flecainide is also used to prevent life-threatening sustained ventricular tachycardia (sustained VT).

Is weight gain a side effect of flecainide?

Is weight gain a side effect of flecainide? Flecainide doesn’t typically cause people to gain more body fat. However, it can sometimes worsen heart failure symptoms and cause more water weight. If you notice that you are more swollen or get more short of breath when lying down, let your provider know.

Can flecainide cause sudden death?

Flecainide-induced arrhythmias include sinus bradycardia or arrest in 2%, bundle branch blocks in 1%, increased premature ventricular depolarizations in 1%, ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation in 0.5%, and sudden death in 0.2% of patients.

Is flecainide safe long-term?

A meta-analysis of 60 studies with flecainide showed that 65% of patients were responsive to treatment in the short-term, and 49% in the long-term, indicating that the clinical benefit of flecainide for maintaining SR is sustained.

Is flecainide hard on the kidneys?

Too much of the drug in your body can be toxic. Kidney problems: Severe kidney disease: 100 mg taken once per day (or 50 mg taken twice per day). The levels of flecainide in your body must be monitored before any dose changes.

Is there an alternative to flecainide?

Is there an alternative to flecainide? There are many other antiarrhythmic medications that treat the same conditions as flecainide, such as propafenone, sotalol, or amiodarone.

How do I get off flecainide?

If you have been using this medicine regularly for several weeks, do not suddenly stop using it. Check with your doctor for the best way to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping completely. Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor.

Who is the manufacturer of the drug flecainide?

Flecainide is sold under the trade name Tambocor (manufactured by 3M pharmaceuticals). Flecainide went off-patent on February 10, 2004. In addition to being marketed as Tambocor, it is also available in generic version and under the trade names Almarytm, Apocard, Ecrinal, and Flécaine.

What kind of anesthetic activity does flecainide have?

Flecainide has local anesthetic activity and belongs to the membrane stabilizing (Class 1) group of antiarrhythmic agents; it has electrophysiologic effects characteristic of the IC class of antiarrhythmics.

Is there an alternative to the drug flecainide?

Is there an alternative to flecainide? There are many other antiarrhythmic medications that treat the same conditions as flecainide, such as propafenone, sotalol, or amiodarone. Additionally, there are medications that help slow the heart rate to a comfortable level, such as digoxin, beta-blockers, and calcium-channel blockers.

What are the signs and symptoms of flecainide toxicity?

Signs of flecainide toxicity include marked prolongation of the PR interval and widening of the QRS duration on the surface ECG. There may be signs and symptoms attributable to overt heart failure secondary to sudden decreased myocardial contractility.