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Baltimore, MD
Side Effects of Flecainide: An A-Fib Patient’s Perspective
Carol, from Salem, Oregon, wrote me to share how taking the antiarrhythmic drug, flecainide, affected her.
Flecainide, an antiarrhythmic medication, works by slowing electrical signals in the heart to stabilize the heart rhythm.
“When I initially started taking flecainide for my A-Fib, I experienced annoying visual disturbances, especially when there was a difference between a light and dark environment such as a stage or when going from a light to a dark room. I would see afterimages, many of them. For example, in a theater I’d see my hands clapping, but I’d see many of them as if in a time lapse still photo. Over time that effect got better.
But other side effects developed.
…Here it goes again. I plan to call the Cardiologist as soon as the office opens. I have the following symptoms:
• Irregular heartbeat
• stomach discomfort (bloating)
• rash and hives
• hair loss
• anxiety (my shoulders are practically making contact with my ears)
• sleep problems
• increased sweating
• annoying visual disturbances
These are all listed on the package insert as possible side effects.
However, I am not ready to say they were caused by flecainide as I have had lifelong problems with allergies and digestive issues. Except for the visual disturbances…
I was on flecainide for 12 years―and it mostly worked well―until it didn’t anymore.”
Carol Baumann,
Salem, Oregon
Editor’s Comments
One of the most frequently prescribed antiarrhythmic drugs is flecainide acetate (Tambocor). Flecainide has been around a long time (1985) and is only available as a generic drug.
Instead of a daily dose, fecainide can be used as a “Pill-In-The-Pocket” treatment i.e., taking an antiarrhythmic med at the time of an A-Fib attack.
Flecainide carries an FDA “Black Box Warning” which is the most serious the FDA issues. A Black Box Warning alerts doctors and patients that a drug has potentially dangerous effects.
As with almost all antiarrhythmic drugs, flecainide is known for bad side effects.
To read a detailed description of flecainide, its uses and side effects, see fecainide at MedlinePlus/Drugs, Herbs and Supplements (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
