Your doctor may have prescribed you a medication called Flecainide for your fast, irregular heartbeat. This may sound a little scary. You may have a lot of questions like, 'What is this medication? What will it do?' Don't worry. Let's talk about all this simply and clearly.
What is Flecainide?
Simply put, Flecainide is a medication that is used to control a fast or irregular heartbeat. In medical terms, this is called an arrhythmia.
Think of our heart as a small electrical system. When its electrical signals are working properly, the heart beats in a regular rhythm. But sometimes these electrical signals get a little out of whack and start to run too fast. That's when the heart beats irregularly, sometimes too fast. This is especially common in a condition called AFib (atrial fibrillation) .
This medicine, called flecainide, works by controlling some of those electrical signals that are traveling too fast, slowing them down, and bringing the heart rate back to a normal rhythm. These are called antiarrhythmics.
Things to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
It is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your health history, especially if you have any of the following conditions:
- If there are abnormalities in potassium levels in the blood.
- If you have other heart diseases, heart rate, or rhythm problems.
- If you have kidney or liver disease.
- If you have recently had a heart attack.
- If you have an allergic reaction to this Flecainide medicine or other local anesthetics, other medicines, foods, or dyes.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother.
Discussing your complete medical history with your doctor will greatly help him treat you safely.
How should I use the medicine?
This medicine should be taken with a glass of water. Take the medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor, at the right time. You can take it with or without food, it doesn't matter. Just take the prescribed dose.
This is the most important thing: Never stop taking this medicine suddenly. Doing so can cause serious heart-related side effects. If your doctor thinks you need to stop taking the medicine, he or she will tell you the right way to do it. Usually, the dose is gradually reduced and then stopped.
Overdosage
If you think you have accidentally taken too many pills, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What if I miss a dose?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one at the usual time. Never take a double dose.
Other medicines that should not be used with this medicine
Flecainide is a drug that has a high potential to interact with other medications. Therefore, it is essential to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements. The table below is just a few examples.
| Drug category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Drugs that should never be taken with flecainide | |
| Some antibiotics | Clarithromycin, Erythromycin, Levofloxacin, Moxifloxacin |
| Some antidepressants | Amitriptyline, Imipramine, Amoxapine |
| Other heart rhythm control drugs | Disopyramide, Propafenone, Quinidine, Ranolazine, Sertindole |
| Other medications | Cisapride, Ritonavir, Pimozide, Thioridazine, Haloperidol |
| Other drugs that may interact with flecainide | |
| Medications for high blood pressure or angina | For example: Beta-blockers |
| Other medications | Amiodarone, Digoxin, Cimetidine, Ziprasidone, Dofetilide |
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
Stay in touch with your doctor to see how you are doing. Make sure to attend clinics. Check your blood pressure and pulse rate regularly. Ask your doctor what your normal blood pressure and pulse rate should be and when you should call your doctor.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medication may make you feel drowsy and dizzy. So , avoid doing tasks that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know how this affects you.
- Changing positions: Don't stand or sit up suddenly. Especially if you're older, change positions frequently. This will reduce the risk of dizziness and falls.
- Alcohol: Drinking alcohol can increase the dizziness you feel. Therefore, avoid alcohol completely while taking this medication.
Possible side effects of the medicine
Like any medicine, Flecainide can cause side effects. Some of them are serious, while others are common.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Heart failure symptoms | Difficulty breathing, swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands, sudden weight gain, unusual fatigue. |
| Changes in heart rate | Fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, chest pain, difficulty breathing. |
| Symptoms of liver injury | Pain in the upper right abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, and yellowing of the eyes or skin. |
| If it persists or is bothersome, tell your doctor. | |
| Blurry vision | Not seeing things clearly. |
| Constipation | Difficulty going to the toilet. |
| Dizziness, headache, fatigue | These usually decrease over time. |
| Tremors | Feeling like your hands or body are throbbing. |
Take-Home Message
- Flecainide is a very important medication that controls irregular heartbeats. It is essential to follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you take, including vitamins and herbal remedies, as this medicine can interact with other medications.
- Never stop taking your medication suddenly without consulting your doctor. This can cause serious problems.
- If you experience serious side effects such as dizziness, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or yellowing of the skin, seek medical advice immediately.
- If you take too much medicine, go to the National Poison Information Center or the nearest ETU (Emergency Treatment Unit) .
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