Flecainide and Heart Palpitations: What Users Say

• LA2...
• June 9, 2014

For Atrial Fibrillation "Flecainide caused increased incidents of atrial fibrillation. Each time I visited the doctor with increased incidents, he would increase the dosage until I finally figured out that the flecainide was the cause. Stopped taking the medicine and the incidents decreased."

• cso...
• October 28, 2014

For Atrial Fibrillation "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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 9, 2019

For Atrial Fibrillation "I started taking this drug (50 mg x 2/day) after diltiazem (2+ years) failed to get me through the night without AFIB. The first two weeks weren't pleasant, with lots of AFIB. Then, when I moved my 180 mg Diltiazem ER from breakfast to lunchtime, things improved. I take the Flecainide at breakfast and dinnertime. After three weeks, my AFIB has been much reduced, and I sleep through the night. However, I also started acupuncture, and that may be a factor. Acupuncture was proven potentially effective by the Univ. of Minnesota. I firmly believe in trying everything to beat this miserable affliction."

• Squ...
• February 25, 2021

For Atrial Fibrillation "I was given flecainide for 5 weeks for atrial fibrillation. I wish I never took it. It didn't work, I had two more fibrillations afterward, and it had many bad side effects: palpitations, skipped beats, way too fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, dizziness, feeling lightheaded (often to the point of almost fainting), nausea, a big lump in my throat, diarrhea, bad headaches, high-pitch ear ringing, involuntary muscle movements/flickering, heartburn, cold sweaty hands/feet, pins and needles in my fingers, chest squeezing, random chest pains, anxiety, insomnia. I often was on the verge of calling an ambulance. I felt terrible. The doctor first increased the amount from 50+50 mg to 100+100 mg, and things got even worse. After a few weeks, I started to decrease the dosage in reverse order. Finally, I decided to stop it altogether, and in 3 days, almost all side effects were gone. I hadn't had any episodes of fibrillation for more than a month now despite stopping the medication."

• Squ...
• February 25, 2021

For Atrial Fibrillation "I was given flecainide for 5 weeks for atrial fibrillation. I wish I never took it. It didn't work, I had two more fibrillations afterward, and it had many bad side effects: palpitations, skipped beats, way too fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, dizziness, feeling lightheaded (often to the point of almost fainting), nausea, a big lump in my throat, diarrhea, bad headaches, high-pitch ear ringing, involuntary muscle movements/flickering, heartburn, cold sweaty hands/feet, pins and needles in my fingers, chest squeezing, random chest pains, anxiety, insomnia. I often was on the verge of calling an ambulance. I felt terrible. The doctor first increased the amount from 50+50 mg to 100+100 mg, and things got even worse. After a few weeks, I started to decrease the dosage in reverse order. Finally, I decided to stop it altogether, and in 3 days, almost all side effects were gone. I hadn't had any episodes of fibrillation for more than a month now despite stopping the medication."

• Bil...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 10, 2021

For Atrial Fibrillation "First AFIB episode 1982, I was 28 years old. From 1982 to 2003, 14 episodes of AFIB, all with rapid ventricular response. On Rythmol and Atenolol before 2003, then Flecainide 100 mg twice daily. Since 2003, no noticeable AFIB episodes with rapid ventricular response. In September 2020, had Zio Patch 14-day heart monitor showing multiple episodes of AFIB, some 12 hours, most no symptoms. April 2021, going in and out of AFIB throughout the day and night feeling flutter. Verified AFIB with a Kardia monitor. Yesterday in sinus rhythm, took 100 mg Flecainide and almost immediately went into AFIB. Not sure if Flecainide caused AFIB but AFIB all night. Flecainide prescription was a year old, so will take a new prescription this morning to see if AFIB stops (has older Flecainide lost efficacy). Tay 325 mg Ecotrin coated aspirin for blood thinner, but cardiologist prescribed Eloquis, worried about side effects. Very active 66-year-old, walk 100 mi per month. Other than recent AFIB episodes, no Flecainide side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 25, 2012

Flecainide for Atrial Flutter "Several times, my heart went into palpitations due to over-exercise or stress; within 4 hours, my heart returned to normal."