Flecainide 50mg

Antiarrhythmic Agent, Class Ic

“Alert: Black Box Warning

Mortality
An excessive mortality or nonfatal cardiac arrest rate was seen in patients treated with flecainide compared with that seen in patients assigned to a carefully matched placebo-treated group. It is prudent to consider the risks of Class ΙC agents (including flecainide), coupled with the lack of any evidence of improved survival, generally unacceptable in patients without life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, even if the patients are experiencing unpleasant, but not life-threatening, symptoms or signs.

Ventricular Proarrhythmic Effects in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter
A review of the world literature revealed reports of 568 patients treated with oral flecainide for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation/flutter (PAF). Ventricular tachycardia was experienced in 0.4% of these patients. Of 19 patients in the literature with chronic atrial fibrillation (CAF), 10.5% experienced ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF). Flecainide is not recommended for use in patients with CAF. Case reports of ventricular proarrhythmic effects in patients treated with flecainide for atrial fibrillation/flutter have included increased premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), VT, VF, and death.  As with other Class Ι agents, patients treated with flecainide for atrial flutter have been reported with 1:1 atrioventricular conduction due to slowing the atrial rate. A paradoxical increase in the ventricular rate also may occur in patients with atrial fibrillation who receive flecainide.”

CSA NA – FDA Approved – REMS (N) – Can Ship

Flecainide is a Class Ic antiarrhythmic which slows down conduction in cardiac tissue by altering transport of ions across cell membranes; causing slight prolongation of refractory periods; decrease in the rate of rise of the action potential without affecting its duration; increase in electrical stimulation threshold of ventricle while have a moderately negative inotropic effect.

Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter and Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia, Ventricular Arrhythmias

Before starting Flecainide make sure your physician is aware of any allergies or medications you currently take.  The proarrhythmic effects of Flecainide include an increase in premature ventricular contractions, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and death in patients with atrial fibrillation.  Flecainide is not recommended for patients with chronic atrial fibrillation. Flecainide can cause electrolyte disturbances (i.e. hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia), hepatic and renal impairment.

Oral: 50mg to 200mg twice daily.

How to Take:

When used for the management of fetal tachycardia, oral doses of Flecainide should be given to the fetus can receive through the maternal/transplacental route.

Dizziness, visual disturbances, dyspnea, palpitations, chest pain, edema, tachycardia, proarrhythmic, sinus node dysfunction, syncope, headache, fatigue, nervousness, fever, hypoesthesia, paresis, ataxia, vertigo, tinnitus, anxiety, insomnia, depression, rash, nausea, constipation, abdominal pain, anorexia, diarrhea, tremor, weakness, paresthesia, blurred vision, diplopia. 

Note this is not a complete list of side effects for Flecainide only common ones.

1. Why would my physician prescribe a medication with such serious side effects?
   Your physician takes the most recent clinical guidelines to make evidence-based decisions on what medication is appropriate in which situations.  Your current medications, your allergies, age, cost of medication, comorbid conditions and many other factors will further complicate or limit which medications are appropriate.  This medication is used for many serious condition(s) and your physician has determined the benefits outweigh the risks.   Furthermore, they will be monitoring your bloodwork and symptoms closely to see if any serious complications are starting to arise and be able to adjust therapy to prevent progression.