The Flecainide is used for the treatment of abnormal heart beats that can be hazardous to health.
What is Flecainide?
Flecainide is an antiarrhythmic drug: it works by stabilizing the heart rhythm when it is too fast or irregular.
How is Flecainide taken?
Flecainide is taken orally, usually in the form of tablets.
Side effects of Flecainide
Possible side effects of flecainide include:
- clouded view
- constipation
- dizziness
- tendency to pass out
- headache
- nausea
- spots in the visual field
- stomach discomfort
- fatigue
- weakness
- instability
It is important to contact a doctor immediately if the use of flecainide is associated with:
- rash
- urticaria
- itch
- breathing difficulties
- feeling of tightness in the chest
- swelling of the mouth, face, lips or tongue
- chest pain
- fainting
- fast or irregular heart beat
- heart attack
- feeling light-headed
- heaviness in the chest
- convulsions
- tremor
- yellowish discolouration of the skin
Contraindications and warnings
Flecainide can impair your ability to drive or operate dangerous machinery, especially when taken in conjunction with alcohol or other medicines.
Flecainide should not be taken together with HIV protease inhibitors and in case of serious heart problems. It is also important to inform your doctor before starting treatment:
- any allergies to the active substance, its excipients, other drugs or any food
- of the medicines, phytotherapy and supplements taken, in particular other antiarrhythmics, calcium channel blockers, cimetidine, HIV protease inhibitors, SNRIs, droperidol, pimozide, serotonin receptor antagonists, zipradisone or digoxin
- if you suffer (or have suffered) from heart problems, kidney or liver problems or abnormal blood potassium levels
- if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
It is important to inform doctors, surgeons and dentists about taking flecainide.