This article describes possible interactions with flecainide oral tablet. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
Boxed warnings
This drug has boxed warnings about the the following risks:
A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
See the end of this article for more information about these warnings.
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Other drugs and flecainide
The drugs in the list below may interact with flecainide oral tablet. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with flecainide.
Drug classes or drugs that may interact with flecainide oral tablet include:
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Other interactions and flecainide
Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether flecainide oral tablet has these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with flecainide.
Flecainide and food
Flecainide oral tablet isn’t known to interact with foods. But this doesn’t mean interactions with foods can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods to avoid while taking flecainide oral tablet.
Flecainide and supplements
Before taking flecainide oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid interactions.
Flecainide oral tablet may interact with a specific form of potassium called potassium citrate (Citrolith, Urocit-K) that’s often used to treat certain types of kidney stones.
Taking flecainide and potassium citrate may lead to high levels of flecainide in the body. This can cause serious side effects.
If you have questions about this or other interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Flecainide interactions with herbs
Flecainide oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any herbs. But this doesn’t mean interactions with herbs can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any herbs or herbal products while taking flecainide oral tablet.
Flecainide interactions with vitamins
Flecainide oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamins while taking flecainide oral tablet.
Flecainide and vaccines
Flecainide oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while taking flecainide oral tablet.
Flecainide and lab tests
Flecainide oral tablet isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any lab tests done while taking flecainide oral tablet.
Flecainide and cannabis or CBD
Flecainide oral tablet isn’t known to interact with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But this doesn’t mean interactions can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
As with any drug or supplement, tell your doctor before taking cannabis with flecainide.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
When to avoid flecainide
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with flecainide oral tablet. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe flecainide in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a list of contraindications for flecainide oral tablet:
- Heart block: If you have heart block (a problem with electrical signals in the heart) and don’t have a pacemaker, taking flecainide oral tablet may cause your heart to stop.
- Past allergic reaction to flecainide: If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to flecainide oral tablet, taking it again may cause a life threatening allergic reaction.
Before you start taking flecainide, tell your doctor if anything listed above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should take flecainide.
Alcohol and flecainide
Flecainide oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.
But alcohol can trigger heart rhythm problems. Since doctors prescribe flecainide to help prevent heart rhythm problems, drinking alcohol may not be helpful.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it while taking flecainide oral tablet.
Health factors and flecainide
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with flecainide oral tablet. Keep in mind that interactions could lead to side effects or affect how well the drug works. Before taking flecainide, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether flecainide is right for you.
These health conditions or other factors might interact with flecainide oral tablet:
Preventing flecainide interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with flecainide oral tablet. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Other medications and herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while taking flecainide oral tablet.
Taking flecainide exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about flecainide and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- Does my risk of interactions depend on my dosage of flecainide oral tablet?
- If I take flecainide oral tablet and have certain health conditions, will I be monitored more closely during treatment?
- Should I tell you if I start taking another medication or supplement during my flecainide oral tablet treatment?
Boxed warnings for flecainide
This drug has a boxed warning about the risk of death or nonfatal heart attack in certain people. It also has a boxed warning about the risk of new or worsened irregular heart rhythms in certain people. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.
Risk of death or nonfatal heart attack in certain people
In a study, people who had a heart attack within the last 2 years took flecainide. (They also had certain heart arrhythmias that weren’t life threatening.) These people had a higher risk of having another heart attack or death. It isn’t known whether this risk applies to people who haven’t had a recent heart attack.
Due to this risk, doctors usually don’t prescribe flecainide to people with irregular heart rhythms that aren’t life threatening.
Call 911 or get emergency medical care if you have symptoms of a heart attack, such as chest pain or shortness of breath.
Risk of new or worsened irregular heart rhythms in certain people
In studies, certain people had an increased risk of new or worsened irregular heart rhythms with flecainide. This included people with:
Symptoms of AFib or atrial flutter can include dizziness, shortness of breath, or a feeling of extra or skipped heartbeats.
This increased risk of new or worsened irregular heart rhythms was much higher in people with chronic (long-term) AFib versus people with intermittent AFib.
Due to this risk, doctors usually don’t prescribe flecainide to people with long-term AFib.
To learn more, talk with your doctor.
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
