Doctors & patients are saying about 'A-Fib.com'...
"A-Fib.com is a great web site for patients, that is unequaled by anything else out there."
Dr. Douglas L. Packer, MD, FHRS, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
"Jill and I put you and your work in our prayers every night. What you do to help people through this [A-Fib] process is really incredible."
Jill and Steve Douglas, East Troy, WI
“I really appreciate all the information on your website as it allows me to be a better informed patient and to know what questions to ask my EP.
Faye Spencer, Boise, ID, April 2017
“I think your site has helped a lot of patients.”Dr. Hugh G. Calkins, MD Johns Hopkins,
Baltimore, MD
FAQs A-Fib Drug Therapy: Pill in Pocket
“Is the “Pill-In-The-Pocket” treatment a cure for A-Fib? When should it be used?”
The “Pill-In-The-Pocket” treatment refers to taking an antiarrhythmic med at the time of an A-Fib attack.
One approach is to take 100 mg of flecainide up to three times at 20 minute intervals to stop or shorten an A-Fib episode.
Another approach is to take Rythmol 300 mg and Inderal 20 mg, wait three hours, then take Inderal 20 mg, wait three hours, then take Rythmol 300 mg and Inderal 20 mg again. (Other meds and dosages are used depending on the needs of the patient).
Another variation of the “Pill-In-The-Pocket” treatment is to take an antiarrhythmic med on a regular basis, then take a higher dose at the time of an A-Fib attack.
However, not everyone can tolerate antiarrhythmic meds on a regular basis. The “Pill-In-The-Pocket” treatment is an excellent, welcome option for A-Fib patients who feel bad when taking antiarrhythmic meds every day.
The “Pill-In-The-Pocket” treatment is not a “cure” for A-Fib, but more of a help to get one out of or shorten an A-Fib attack.
Editor’s comments:
In my opinion, the ideal use of an antiarrhythmic med is to take it on a regular basis to keep one from having an A-Fib attack. Taking an antiarrhythmic med only when one has an A-Fib attack is like trying to put out a fire after it has started. From a patient’s perspective, it’s better to keep A-Fib from starting in the first place—to be proactive rather than reactive.
Return to FAQ Drug Therapies
Last updated: Sunday, September 27, 2026
