FLECAINIDE (Systemic)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
In Canada?
Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
Category
Description
Flecainide (FLEK-a-nide) belongs to the group of medicines known asantiarrhythmics. It is used to correct irregular heartbeats to a normal rhythm.
Flecainide produces its helpful effects by slowing nerve impulses in theheart and making the heart tissue less sensitive.
There is a chance that flecainide may cause new or make worse existingheart rhythm problems when it is used. Since it has been shown to cause severeproblems in some patients, it is only used to treat serious heart rhythm problems.Discuss this possible effect with your doctor.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in thefollowing dosage form:
Oral- Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For flecainide, thefollowing should be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to flecainide, lidocaine, tocainide, or anesthetics. Alsotell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances,such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy?Flecainide has not been studied in pregnant women.However, studies in one kind of rabbit given about 4 times the usual humandose have shown that flecainide causes birth defects. Before taking flecainide,make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding?Flecainide passes into breast milk. However, thismedicine has not been shown to cause problems in nursing babies.
Children?Studies on this medicine have been done only in adultpatients, and there is no specific information comparing use of flecainidein children with use in other age groups.
Older adults?Elderly people are especially sensitive to the effectsof flecainide. Flecainide may be more likely to cause irregular heartbeatin the elderly.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are takingflecainide it is especially important that your health care professional knowsif you are taking any of the following:
- Other medicine for heart rhythm problems?Both wanted and unwantedeffects on the heart may increase
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of flecainide. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Congestive heart failure?Flecainide may make this conditionworse
- Kidney disease or
- Liver disease?Effects of flecainide may be increased becauseof slower removal from the body
- Recent heart attack?Risk of irregular heartbeats may be increased
- If you have a pacemaker?Flecainide may interfere with the pacemakerand require more careful follow-up by the doctor
Proper Use of This Medicine
Take flecainide exactly as directed by your doctor, even though youmay feel well. Do not take more medicine than ordered.
This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep this amount constant, do not miss any doses.Also, it is best to take the doses 12 hours apart, in the morning and at night, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. If you need help in planningthe best times to take your medicine, check with your health care professional.
Dosing?The dose of flecainide will be different fordifferent patients. Follow your doctor's orders or thedirections on the label. The following information includes only theaverage doses of flecainide. If your dose is different,do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The number of tablets that you take depends on the strength of the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For correcting irregular heartbeat:
- Adults?50 to 150 milligrams (mg) every twelve hours.
- Children?Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Missed dose?If you miss a dose of flecainide and remember within6 hours, take it as soon as possible. However, if you do not remember untillater, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Donot double doses.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in otherdamp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
It isimportant that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make surethe medicine is working properly. This will allow for changes to be made inthe amount of medicine you are taking, if necessary.
Your doctor may want you to carry a medical identification card or braceletstating that you are using this medicine.
Before having any kind of surgery (including dentalsurgery) or emergency treatment, tell the medical doctor or dentist in chargethat you are taking this medicine.
Flecainide may cause some people to become dizzy, lightheaded, or lessalert than they are normally. Make sure you know howyou react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anythingelse that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert.
If you have been using this medicine regularly for several weeks, do notsuddenly stop using it. Check with your doctor for the best way to reducegradually the amount you are taking before stopping completely.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they mayneed medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following sideeffects occur:
Other side effects may occur that usually donot need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatmentas your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if anyof the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
Other side effects notlisted above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects,check with your doctor.
Revised: 08/18/1997
