What does flecainide do to the heart?

What does flecainide do to 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.

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. You will likely need an adjustment in your medications.

Is long term use of flecainide safe?

The results of CAST deterred physicians from using flecainide, even in patients without any demonstrable cardiovascular disease. One of the most difficult issues is that patients may develop coronary disease, ischaemia and/or structural heart disease while receiving chronic flecainide.

Does flecainide work immediately?

The single dose oral loading regimen of flecainide appears to be effective for cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation with a relatively rapid effect within 2-4 h, and is free of serious complications in patients without structural heart disease.

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.

Does Flecainide affect sleep?

Similarly, the labeling for flecainide describes a high level of CNS adverse effects including dizziness (19-30%), visual disturbances (16%), fatigue (8%) and somnolence and insomnia at a frequency between 1% and 3%.

Can you stop Flecainide cold turkey?

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.

Is it safe to take flecainide long term?

Flecainide oral tablet is used for long-term drug treatment. It comes with risks if you don’t take it as prescribed. If you don’t take it at all: The symptoms of your abnormal heart rhythm may not improve or may get worse.

Does flecainide affect memory?

Fainting or feeling faint more often. Yellow eyes or skin. Feel very tired. Memory loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does it work and what are the side effects? Answer: Flecainide is a commonly used heart rhythm drug that’s a potent sodium channel blocker, which is a certain channel that affects conduction in the heart. This drug has been commercially available for almost 25 years.

How is flecainide used to treat arrhythmia?

Flecainide is an antiarrhythmic. It works by blocking sodium channels, which play a major part in your heart’s electrical activity. When your heart is firing too quickly in an abnormal rhythm (arrhythmia), flecainide slows down the electricity to help your rhythm return to normal. What is flecainide used for?

How is flecainide used in the treatment of VT?

Flecainide is also used to prevent life-threatening sustained ventricular tachycardia (sustained VT). Flecainide belongs to the group of medicines known as antiarrhythmics. It works directly on the heart tissue and will slow the nerve impulses in the heart.

What’s the generic name for the drug flecainide?

Generic Name: flecainide (FLEK a nide) Brand Name: Tambocor. Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jan 15, 2019 – Written by Cerner Multum. Overview. Side Effects. Dosage. Professional.

What are the side effects of flecainide?

Side effects of flecainide include: visual disturbances. dizziness. irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias) swelling. weakness. strong or irregular heartbeat (palpitations) fatigue.

What does the name flecainide mean?

Answer: Flecainide is a commonly used heart rhythm drug that’s a potent sodium channel blocker, which is a certain channel that affects conduction in the heart. This drug has been commercially available for almost 25 years.

How should I take flecainide?

• read the manufacturer’s printed information leaflet from inside the pack.
• Your doctor will tell you what the right dose of flecainide is for you.
• as this will help you to remember to take them regularly.
• You can take flecainide either before or after food.

  What should I do if I miss a dose of flecainide?

  Missed Dose of Flecainide. If you miss a dose of flecainide, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue on your regular medication schedule. Don’t take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose of flecainide.