Flecainide for Atrial Fibrillation User Reviews (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• May 7, 2015

"Have been taking 2 per day, 50 mg tablets for about 3 years. Irregular heartbeat and high pulse rate with even brief exertion have been essentially eliminated. My life is much more comfortable and much less worrisome. I do believe my vision has become somewhat more blurry, but the positive outweighs the negative."

• Anonymous
• March 6, 2012

"I started on Flecainide in 2009. Started with 50mg twice a day. Atrial fibrillation episodes continued but when I stepped it up to 100mg twice a day, episodes kept at bay. Only problem is when I forgot a dose, then episodes happen and real bad rhythms to boot. Got to be on time each day with dosage, or else not protected. No side effects at all!"

• roz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 20, 2014

"I am a 58-year-old female who had two AFib episodes in a 6-week period that did not stop until I was converted back to sinus rhythm in the ER. I had been on Metoprolol for two years but after the second AFib incident, I was also put on 50mg of Flecainide two times a day. I have had no side effects except a lower heart rate, therefore my Metoprolol dosage had to be adjusted down to 25 mg a day from 50."

• Hea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2019

"I was put on flecainide after going into a fib (atrial fibrillation) during surgery and am suffering side effects. Since taking it for almost a month now, I am constantly out of breath. Even sitting down, I feel as though I can’t breathe. I have those feelings of needing to yawn, but nothing happens. I also have anxiety, and this is triggering my anxiety even more. By the way, this is the second time I’ve tried flecainide, and both times it did this to me. I refuse to try it again. My a fib doesn’t happen unless I drink too much caffeine, so I’m opting to cut caffeine completely out rather than live like this. It’s horrible."

• Anonymous
• January 29, 2012

"Suffered from AF every few months for a couple of years before going on Flecainide with Metoprolol. It has been three years and have only experienced two very short (less than 1/2 hour episodes) and the occasional flutter. Have also been able to reduce dosage of both medicines without any effect. Minimal side effects. Life is much better."

• Joh...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 23, 2022

Flecainide "First AFib episode started early one morning when I was 30. By age 35, I was on Tambocor. I’m 57 now, been on Tambocor for the past 22 years, and this drug has allowed me to live a normal life free of AFib. I’ve got a lot of empathy for those newly diagnosed with AFib because of all the fear it generates, but the meds generally work once you find the right one. I’ve had no side effects at all from Tambocor in the 22 years that I’ve been on it. Now, I realize that I’m not the typical example patient for AFib because of my age. I do remember feeling out of place sitting in my cardiologist’s waiting room in my 30s and 40s. However, with those experiences available to me, it’s possible that some of the side effects that others have reported here may be age-related concurrent heart-related issues and not directly attributable to Tambocor. Tried to say that in the nicest way possible based upon my experiences. Hope that helps."

• Mar...
• December 16, 2016

"I've been on Flecainide for about 3 months. Before, I was having Afib every day, usually at night for over a year. And even after taking other medications prior to Flecainide, it would take several hours before the Afib would go away. It was a terrible existence. Since taking Flecainide, I have had NO Afib. This, to me, has been remarkable. The side effects for me are mainly tiredness for a couple of hours after taking it. It might give me constipation, but I really think that diet plays a greater role. Eating more fiber and veggies, and less meat is better for me. I have been taking Flecainide once in the early afternoon and then once usually an hour before bedtime, each time with 100 mg. I wonder if I can stop taking it in the future?"

• Ver...
• June 15, 2011

"I have been on this medicine for about 7 years. I take a large dose, 200 mg twice a day. I previously suffered from PVCs, PACs, and atrial fibrillation. PVCs were the main culprit, and they were very bad. Normal heart. I was on Sotalol, but over time, that became less effective and possibly even pro-arrhythmic. The Flecainide has pretty much kept me in normal sinus rhythm since I started taking it with a few breakthroughs. I have also given up caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and I now use a CPAP machine for sleep apnea. I also try to get a minimum of 7 hours of sleep. Combined with the Flecainide, I am virtually free of the heart rhythm problems."

• All...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 9, 2014

"I have been experiencing increasing episodes of atrial fibrillation over the past 8 months, going from one or two 'blips' a day to recently probably 70% of the time! Not debilitating, but annoying. Doc put me on two 50 mg flecainide per day. I started yesterday, and so far so good. Not a single episode and so far no noticeable side effects, but then today is my first real 'day' on the medicine. I resist taking anything for systemic problems like this, but if it can have this dramatic of positive effect with no side effects, I'm all for it."

• Sue...
• October 21, 2010

"Flecainide works for me but caused symptoms that mimicked MS. I was put on Flecainide in October 2009 for Atrial fibrillation. Started having dizzy spells and vertigo soon after. Then started getting migraines (never had it before in my life) and seeing flashing lights. Ringing in the right ear started in November. Then by February 2010 episodes of incontinence, slurred speech, confusion, difficulty focusing on conversations, stumbling, falling, tingling in fingertips, dropping pens, dishes, anything I held. Feared I had multiple sclerosis. After tests for MS - all negative - I went to my cardiologist and asked if Flecainide may be the cause. He said not likely but let's stop it and see. Four weeks after stopping, all symptoms cleared."

• Anonymous
• October 10, 2011

"I was having regular episodes of atrial fibrillation. Often 2-3 per day, lasting from a few minutes to several hours. Started on 100mg flecainide twice a day. Episodes stopped, but suffered from muscle soreness and felt tired all the time. Doctor dropped the dosage to 50mg twice a day. Symptoms lessened and have not had an episode in 5 years."

• meh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2015

"This medication (Flecainide) was prescribed as well as Cardizem CD for chronic A-Fib, although nothing was found wrong with my heart, electrical or plumbing. Serious side effects occurred, and I stopped taking them, it took me three months to recover from the meds. I did my own research and learned that Fosamax was actually responsible for my A-Fib. The doctors at the Heart Hospital didn't have a clue. It has been four years now, and no A-Fib and absolutely no meds! This was a nightmare experience! Female, 74 years old."

• val...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 10, 2014

"36-year-old male; athlete; lone atrial fibrillation; year and a half on flecainide. The medicine works, but episodes of atrial fibrillation still occur, just not as bad and not as often. Because I'm an athlete, my A-fib episodes occur more about 2-3 times a month, sometimes just once a month. Some last a few hours, but some last up to 24 hours or more. I still exercise, but not when I'm in A-fib because it causes shortness of breath. Note: my episodes don't really feel like I'm at 180 bpm at rest. They just feel like I'm out of rhythm at a normal rate, but of course this is me checking my pulse without an EKG."

• kei...
• February 27, 2008

"Had atrial fibrillation since 1995. Occurred once or twice a month severe enough to cause me to rest with my body at 45 degrees for a couple of hours till it passed. Was on amiodarone and metoprolol. Stopped the beta blockers 2 years ago in favor of flecainide acetate. Have not had a single episode of unusual rhythms."

• Swi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 20, 2012

"Completely eradicated vagotonic atrial fibrillation. No side effects. I am a healthy, athletic, active male who has been diagnosed with lone vagotonic AF. I initially tried the 'pill-in-the-pocket' approach. I was so good at predicting my occurrences, I coordinated with my doctor to use it as prophylactic medication. I still have occasional PVCs, but they are less frequent. So far, a smashing success. Key point: talk with a cardiologist before embarking on any treatment!"

• Bes...
• September 28, 2016

"Flecainide has given me my life back. I have had no side effects. Maybe the first week or two it didn't take effect immediately, but I love this med. It has changed my life for the better after suffering from long bouts of atrial fibrillation."

• BC2...
• April 18, 2012

"Have had AF since very young. In 2003 episodes began to occur almost daily. Was given Flecainide and after 6 weeks, I was a different person - I had forgotten what it was like to go each day without even a skipped beat. I even exercised daily, quite hard too, with no problems. Unfortunately, after 6 years, I started experiencing 'side effects'. I was actually suffering from Broad Complex Arrhythmia brought on by Flecainide. I had to stop them and now on Bisoprolol. Am now awaiting a PVI ablation"

• cso...
• October 28, 2014

"On occasions, taking flecainide triggers my atrial fibrillation. It's quite immediate, about 1-2 minutes after taking the medicine. It doesn't happen all the time. Sometimes, I just wonder if I should stop taking it."

• Jim...
• August 29, 2014

"I've been dealing with atrial fibrillation for about a year and a half now, and it stinks. I've had the surgery where they go in and sever the connection in your heart, but it didn't fix it. Helped a little, but I'm struggling with some atrial fibrillation symptoms, so my Dr. put me on flecainide, first 50 mg two times a day, then 100 mg twice a day. 100 mg worked for a while (3 months), but now around an hour or two before my second dose of the day, I start having symptoms. Very sad, don't know what to do. The medicine does seem to work for the most part."

• Pou...
• November 15, 2011

Flecainide "Initially, it worked with minimal side effects. But after one year, I have virtually all known side effects for this medicine, including severe fatigue and shortness of breath - or inability to get a full breath. I attributed these to mold in our soil due to construction and did not look at side effects until my EP's total lack of concern made me wonder if he was hiding something. I am shocked by what I now read and have no idea what to do - obviously, reporting to my EP is not the answer. My GP says she knows nothing about cardiology."

• Anonymous
• September 20, 2009

"I had horrible episodes of Atrial fibrillation. I was hospitalized for 9 days. Ambulanced twice. Was put on Flecainide 1 year ago. Haven't had any recurrences of Atrial fibrillation. It's like there never was a problem. And no side effects for me. I walk 3 miles a day. I love flecainide and my doctor for choosing it."

• PJc...
• July 13, 2016

"I had the first afib experience in 2004 (age 63) while playing senior softball, took shock paddles to convert. Kept playing sports and had the second episode in 2007, converted with Amiodarone. Stayed on that until a new doctor (insurance changed) took me off without a replacement, re-occurrence a couple of months later, restarted on Amiodarone for conversion. Back with the original doctor, kept up Amiodarone and all the blood work, x-rays, pulmonary function tests, etc. required semi-annual till 2014. Finally (after more tests) was switched to 100 mg. Flecainide & 12.5 mg. Metoprolol twice daily, with no semi-annual tests. So far, so good, except for some arthritis issues, still active in sports (senior). Hopefully, this will stay with me."

• nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 9, 2018

"In June, admitted for afib after having had an ablation in March, I was on sotalol 80 mg 2 xs daily for 3 months. Then off it, after 3 wks I had afib, the Dr gave me 300 mg of flecainide and Toprol, it almost killed me, and I haven't been right since. Now trying sotalol again, but having a hard time, I think due to the flecainide in the hospital. I have no quality of life, I always did yoga and exercised 2 times a week and a dance class once a week. This is not a drug for me."

• Bab...
• November 30, 2011

"5 episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in 3 years all resolved with IV flecainide in A&E. 6 more episodes in the last year all resolved within 3 hours at home by taking a pill in pocket (i.e. 200 mg flecainide). Can't work out a consistent trigger factor, so avoid all known ones. Background treatment for hypertension with ramipril and beta blockers for rate control, but otherwise a very fit and healthy 63-year-old woman. Brilliant to be able to treat without hospital admission."

• Blo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 24, 2017

"Flecainide has controlled the a-fib, but I have a constantly cold nose and my mouth feels like I've had lidocaine sprayed like before dental work. Some days it's worse than other days. I take 100 mg twice a day with 25 mg metoprolol. After two cardioversions, I'm willing to give flecainide a chance. I've been taking it for six months and hope the side effects don't get worse with time."