Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.

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BertMcc 09/05/2013

Hi All,

New to the group but have been following for some time. Always interested in answers from fellow afibbers. My EP just prescribed flecainide 300 mg pill in the pocket along with metoprolol 25 mg...pill in the pocket. He wants me to take the first dose in the ER. Is that normal? Any comments appreciated.

yogacat 09/05/2013

Each Dr. has their own way of helping us. I have not heard of the ER for first dosage, but , he must have had his own reason.

I asked my Cardio dr. if I could tack Flec. for PIP. He told me Flec. was not used that way. I have read of a few others who take it too, so I know it can be. My Dr. likes Rythmol, It works for me, but I don't care for the way I feel when I take it.

Best Wishes for Success with your treatments and Welcome!!!!!

marikay234 09/05/2013

Well, I think the pharmaceutical guidelines recommend that all the antiarrythmics be started in the hospital. There is a possibility that it could cause a different, life threatening arrythmia. In reality though, many Drs no longer do this. My EP starts flec at home, but only after a thorough work-up to be sure the heart is structurally sound, no heart disease, no CHF.
I think your doc is being cautious which is good. If you have had a good work-up the risk of any problem with flec is small. I have been taking it for over 2 years with no problems. It works really well for me.
BTW welcome

snowshoedude 09/05/2013

BertMcc, I only started taking Flec after my ablation as a preventative almost 6 weeks ago. Started taking it in the hospital while completing the customary night in the hospital after the ablation. I am on 100 MG twice a day. Flec can slow your heart rate down a lot so perhaps they want to assure your heart does not slow down too much. I was actually happy I was in the hospital when I took it because I have never taken such a pill (except one failed PIP try using Propafenone) and was freaked out about relinquishing the control of my heart to the powerful drug. I survived and my heart rate did not change.

Note that I am taking it for another week and that is it (versus using as PIP). Personally, I hate taking the stuff every day because it makes me feel tired/lethargic, give me brain fog and some other stuff,

Good luck with the PIP. I hope it works for you Bert!

pacyetep 09/05/2013

Bert: I see you are from Utica, NY... maybe you don't really have AFIB... maybe your atria are just shaking from the cold up there. Sorry, couldn't resist. petey

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