Flecainide

Generic Name : Flecainide

Why it is prescribed (Indications) : Flecainide is used to treat and prevent irregular and fast heartbeats i.e., arryhthmias. It acts on the heart muscle to improve the heart's rhythm.

When it is to be taken : Flecainide is usually taken two or three times a day at evenly spaced intervals. Flecainide must be taken on a regular schedule, as prescribed by your doctor
, to be effective. Do not stop taking Flecainide without consulting your doctor.

How it should be taken : Flecainide comes in the form of tablets. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose. Do not adjust your dose without consulting your doctor.

Special Instruction :
1. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will want to evaluate the effectiveness of this drug with physical examinations, ECG tests, and blood test.
2. Your dose may have to be adjusted, especially if this drug causes side effects.
3. If your condition worsens (faster heartbeats, an increase in irregular heartbeats, flushing, or near fainting), contact your doctor immediately.
4. Consult your doctor about diet. Foods and salt substitutes containing potassium or foods that are very high or low in acidity can affect the action of Flecainide in some people.
5. Contact your doctor for instructions, if you forget to take a dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

Side Effects :
1. Dizziness accompanied by vision problems, tremor, headache, fatigue, weakness, rash fever, increased sweating, ringing in the ears, anxiety, mental depression, nausea, indigestion, vomiting. Contact your doctor if these effects persist or become severe.
2. Palpitations, chest pain, difficulty breathing, wheezing, swelling of feet and ankles, fast or irregular heartbeats. Contact your doctor immediately.

Other Precautions :
1. Women who are pregnant
or breast-feeding should inform their doctors.
2. Tell your doctor if you have a history of heart attack, narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart, heart disease, or congestive heart failure.
3. Your doctor also needs to know if you have kidney or liver disease.
4. Tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, especially digoxin; medication for high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or heart pain potassium supplements; cimetidine; acetazolamide; antacids; and sodium bicarbonate.

Storage Conditions :
Keep Flecainide in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Protect it from light.