I was on 50 mg of flecainide twice a day, for 5 years along with atenolol 25 mg once a day and tolerated it well. When the doctor tried to increase it to 100 mg twice a day, because of more frequent episodes of AF, it gave me visual disturbances and I had to stop it.

RN52: So what was the positive effect of flecainide? Did it lessen your afib attacks or eliminate them? Thanks.-Petey

I was very hesitant to take it. It took me a couple months to work up the courage to swallow that first pill. I really expected to have side effects or it wouldn't work. I was very surprised that it is working great. I take 75mg twice a day. No side effects so far. I was also told to decrease my beta blocker (toprol) when I started the flec. I immediately started feeling like I had more energy. I have had 2 brief episodes of a fib since starting it 8 months ago. That is such a hugh improvement from an episode every 2-3 days.
It has given me my life back.

I took flecainide for several months. Because my heart rate was still too high, even though the flecainide kept me in SR, the nurse practioner at my EP increased my dosage considerably. My memory on this is a little vague, but I think I was taking 100 mg twice daily. Anyway, it was not long before I developed central nervous system problems. I began falling and had tremors. I had one really nasty fall, thumping my head on the concrete sidewalk. I tried to tell my EP that I thought it was the flecainide, but he denied that. Anyway, I went through a lot of neuological testing that was all negative. After two or three months of this, the neurologist said she thought it was the flecainide. I stopped taking it and the muscle weakness and tremors went away.

Now, the serious part of this story. I was diagnosed a few months ago with small fiber neuropathy causing orthostatic hypotension. This causes me to have very sudden drops in my blood pressure and near fainting episodes. At first I thought it might have been caused by the amiodarone, but haven't taken it in about six years. Then I checked the pharmacological reports on flecainide: one of the side effects can be NEUROPATHY.

Anyway, if you are taking flecainide, watch for muscle weakness or other neurological symptoms. It can affect your central nervous system.

I meant to add to my above statement that the neuropathy is permanent. Flecainide can cause permanent damage to your central nervous system. The drug helps many people without causing problems, but beware of symptoms such as tremors.

Jody

Thanks for the warning Jody. Your experience really is concerning. I thought that side effects would develop while I was taking it...not later on after stopping it if I understood you right..
How long between the time you stopped the flecainide and the hypotension developed?

I took Flecainide for several years with good results. One doctor told me to take double the dose when I had an A-Fib episode before going to hospital. (This doctor also had A-Fib so I took his advice). The next time I had an episode I did as he said and ended up in atrial flutter and ventricular tachicardia. I had an ablation for the atrial flutter. I was then put on Diltiazem which caused severe swelling in my legs. I persevered for 3 years and couldn't cope any longer. I am now on Digoxin and beta blockers and coping.

I have developed peripheral neuropathy in my legs since taking Flecainide but I put it down to the Diltiazem and the persistent swelling in my legs. I have had leg vein surgery but still have the neuropathy. Who knows what caused what.

Best wishes, Ruth

Marikay, I am not quite certain about the length of time between stopping and when I realized I had a hypotension problem. The reason being that it felt very similar in some ways to irregular heart rhythms. I had the ablation almost three years ago and took a low dose of flecainide again briefly right after the procedure because it was the only thing that worked for me during the healing process. It was shortly after that. At first I thought it was my heart. Apparently part of the hypotension is that it can cause tachycardia, which is what I was experiencing. I thought the tach was making me lightheaded and dizzy -- instead, it was the hypotension. Finally, after my EP said it definitely was not my heart and sent me to a neurologist, she discovered the neuropathy and hypotension. I believe I have had the problem for about three years. What a nuisance it is!! I have to wear compression stockings (40s), and a compression belt. In addition, I have to drink 2-1/2 liters of water every day and increase my salt intake. Still, I have good days and bad days. The hypotension episodes come in clusters. Kind of scary. Hope this is clear. It happened kind of gradually, I think.

Jody

Petey: I'm not sure if the flecainide decreased the episodes, because I was put on it a few weeks after I was diagnosed. It did not eliminate the episodes. I still would have episodes one or twos time a month that usually lasted hours. My first cardiologist gave me a trial off of the flecainide in 2010, and I soon went into persistent afib.

Thanks for the info everyone. I have read some of the possible side effects and that is why I have been hesitant of taking it. Marikay I feel the same way you did. I take the pill out and stare at it. I have been in Afib for 24 hours and I finally gave in. Hopefully it will help and not hurt.
Thanks so much everyone.
Pedee

I am so happy about this site. Today was my forst visit to see an EP. He had three possible things for me. One was to try flecainide and dilitiazem. I told him I was on dilitiazem and was passing out on it.

Second was an ablation. He couldn't guarantee anything on that which I understood. Doesn't look like I will ever get off the coumadin. He doesn't like Multaq. He thinks it's no better than a placebo.

Third it to wait awhile and see if I need another cardioversion. He could do a pacemaker and ablation and If I understand correctly, destroy the av node and be completely dependent on the pacemaker. He is concerned because I am small and he doesn't want to damage the esophagus by getting to close. Thanks to all the info here I knew right away I didn't want the flecainide. He said there weren't too many side effects, ha ha.

I saw my primary care physician yesterday. I told him I thought the flecainide was definitely the culprit in my neuropathy and hypotension. He said, "Yup, that is a possible side effect of that drug." He hadn't prescribed it, thus he could be a little more forthcoming about it.

Jody

Thanks Jody,
That is the dilemma...weighing the benefits vs the risks. I know that if flecainide wasn't working so well for me I would stop it in a heartbeat.
But...I feel so much better now I am afraid not to take it because the a fib was so debilitating. I have always been hesitant to go the ablation route also. That seems like a crapshoot too. I will certainly not ignore any symptoms that could be CNS side effects. While my EP tells me that I am taking a low dose and could be increased if necessary, I am not going to consider any increase in the future.
I knew that CNS side effects were possible but it is more sobering when you get someones real-life experience.

my Afib could be described as mild; I am on 50 mg Flecainide, 120 mg delayed action Diltiazem, and 2.5 mg Bisoprollol. I also take aspirin (alternating between full 325 dose and two baby doses) I have been on Warfarin, Multaq and ameodorine (sp?)
most of my Afib goes unnoticed and the occasions I am aware of the event, they are of short duration. although constipation and fatigue seem to be the side effects, I am okay with my current regimen.

Hi Everyone Good Post!!
Saw my cardiologist today and she wants me to start on an antiarrythmic. I only have 3 episodes of AFIB a month that last approximately anywhere from 6-8 hours..
My options are soltolol, tikasyn, or flecianide. Like so many of you I am afraid to start anything due to the side effects I am very sensitive to meds.
Any suggestions would be helpful
mek3