Flecainide and Weakness: What Users Say

• Mis...
• January 29, 2018

For Atrial Fibrillation "This medication literally killed my mom. They increased it from 50 mg to 150 mg twice a day after pacemaker, and she slowly declined. Shortness of breath, severe weakness, nausea, no appetite. After 3 months, she became toxic from the flecainide and collapsed at my house. Called the ambulance, and she passed away within 21 hours. Total organ shutdown. Her death certificate said flecainide toxicity. PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH THIS MED AND INSIST THEY CHANGE IT IF YOU GET ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS. I had Mom to the cardiologist on Monday with Doppler, blood work, echo, EKG, and pacer check, but NO flecainide level was done. All tests were perfect. Called Dr. on Tues because she could not even walk. They said she had fluid overload and increased diuretic. She was gone by Thursday. She went from a fit, beautiful, energetic lady in Sept to gone in December."

• pos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 7, 2018

For Atrial Fibrillation "This stuff almost killed me. I went from active and alive to sedentary and out of breath. Dizzy spells, weakness, chest pain, lightheadedness, insomnia, and basically feeling like garbage. I would stop breathing when sitting up in a chair if I happened to doze off. Finally, the doctor listened to me and took me off it completely. I am now going to wear a monitor for 30 days and then be evaluated for ablation. My Afib was only happening about every 4 months and had only happened 3 times. Flecainide reduced my quality of life from excellent to horrible in 3 short weeks. I am DONE!"

• Gca...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 22, 2017

Flecainide for Supraventricular Tachycardia "I have been on Tambocor for 7 years now, and in the past 2 years, I have been having dizzy spells, almost blackout, panic attacks for no reason, breathing problems out of the blue, eyes are blurring up more and more each year, no energy, weak muscles, and not for lack of trying, I just can't get them to tone up, so I consider myself weak. My tummy gets upset, ringing in the ears, and the most annoying, other than the dizziness, is the low blood pressure, it just drops so many times! These are all symptoms for this drug. I was in denial for a long time, as these side effects were minimal and just became worse. I'm not on any other drug. I'll have to go off it, but what's next??"

• Get...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2019

Flecainide for Atrial Fibrillation "My bro was diagnosed with AFib not long ago, and the doc prescribed Concor once a day and Tambocor 50 mg twice a day. It worked well the first 3 days, and he had a slow heart rate, fluttering, shortness of breath, and shakiness all together on the 4th day. It seemed like it was getting worse after taking this drug, it's just not for him, and the doc agreed to take him off now. Trying new meds next week, and I hope that one will work well for him. Having shortness of breath and feeling weak is really terrifying."

• Lor...
• September 29, 2020

For Atrial Fibrillation "I was on this drug for 6 weeks. I had more heart symptoms on it than off it. I became weak and could hardly walk, stand, or shower. I had extreme anxiety on this pill. Shakes, shortness of breath. My doctor kept saying everybody is nervous when they are first diagnosed with A-fib. After several ER visits, I slowly went off it. Then they switched to Metoprolol. I had a very slow heartbeat and low, low BP. Now I’m just taking a blood thinner and doing better. I think this drug changed me in a bad way, I’m still not the same after 7 months."

• Anonymous
• October 16, 2010

For Ventricular Tachycardia "I have been taking a combination of medicines, flecainide (50 mg twice a day) and metoprolol (12.5 mg twice a day), to control idiopathic paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia for two months now. Trying both medicines separately did not work for me. During the first two weeks of starting flecainide, I experienced moderate to severe side effects including visual disturbances (mostly peripheral), shakiness, vertigo, weakness, nausea, fatigue, and bowel changes. Since my body had a difficult time with the medicine, both medications were reduced in half. It is much better now, but I am still hoping this is not a long-term treatment. I give this medicine a 10 rating for effectiveness. I have not had a single episode (including PVCs) since being on both medications."

• Joy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2021

Flecainide for Atrial Fibrillation "Severe reaction with loss of muscle strength and general mobility, neck, back, jaw pain. Inability to turn head. Lower abdominal pain. I have been off the med for 4 weeks, but side effects have only minimally abated. Would like to find a support group."

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2021

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "I was put on flecainide 100 mg, two a day. At first, for a month or so, I had no attacks. Now, I'm having attacks often lasting over 48 hours. I'm weak, can't walk to the bathroom, I'm so out of breath. I'm right back where I was before I was put in the hospital."

• AJa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 18, 2019

For Atrial Fibrillation "I had a pacemaker implant 18 months ago and was immediately put on this flecainide. I have chronic asthmatic bronchitis, which is treated with Advair and Sprivia. I've had 9 AF events in 5 months, getting tired easily, having muscle weakness, arthritic pain, and tendon pain in the feet. I've been to the podiatrist and a rheumatologist, and neither has been able to identify the reason for the pain. I suspect flecainide is the source of the weakness. I'm doing internet searches hoping to stumble on a reason. Hopefully, it's not old age."

• Cas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2023

For Atrial Fibrillation "I was started on Flecainide for multiple episodes of A-fib on my Holter monitor 7-day test. Within 24 hours of starting Flecainide, I started feeling terrible. I was having a rapid heart rate (feeling) more frequently, flutter sensations, general weakness, and just feeling unwell. I didn't feel it was safe for me to drive because I was feeling so poorly and weak. After 48 hours, I went into the cardiologist's office for a previously scheduled EKG. They took me off Flecainide because of my side effects, and after a 'wash-out' period, I start another drug."