Flecainide
Flecainide (fle KAY nide) is a generic medication prescribed to help prevent certain irregular heart rhythms in adults. Flecainide belongs to a group of drugs called antiarrhythmics.
Flecainide (fle KAY nide) is a generic medication prescribed to help prevent certain irregular heart rhythms in adults. Flecainide belongs to a group of drugs called antiarrhythmics.
- Generic
- • Tablet
- • 50mg
- • 60 Tablets
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Amber Watson, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Melissa Badowski, PharmD, MPH, FCCP
Updated on July 21, 2023
Flecainide (fle KAY nide) is a generic medication prescribed to help prevent certain irregular heart rhythms in adults. Flecainide belongs to a group of drugs called antiarrhythmics.
Boxed warnings
Flecainide has boxed warnings about the risks of death or nonfatal heart attack and new or worsened irregular heart rhythms in certain people. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for flecainide” section.
Side effects
Side effects of flecainide
Flecainide may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of flecainide and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.
To learn more about flecainide’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for flecainide listed in the “Resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with flecainide are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about flecainide’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for flecainide listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. But if the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Flecainide oral tablet’s mild side effects include:
- dizziness
- vision problems, such as blurred vision or seeing spots
- shortness of breath
- headache
- mild allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for flecainide” section.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of flecainide are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about flecainide’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for flecainide listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
In general, flecainide’s serious side effects include:
- liver problems, such as liver failure
- heart problems, such as heart failure or changes in the way the heart beats
- boxed warnings: risk of death or nonfatal heart attack and new or worsened irregular heart rhythms in certain people*
- severe allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for flecainide” section.
FAQs
Common questions about flecainide
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about flecainide oral tablet.
Are there any foods I need to avoid while taking flecainide?
Not necessarily. The manufacturer of flecainide hasn’t reported any foods to avoid while taking the drug.
If you have questions about eating certain foods during flecainide treatment, talk with your doctor.
What brand names are available for flecainide?
Flecainide oral tablet isn’t available as a brand-name drug. It’s only available as a generic medication. (A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication.)
If you have questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How does flecainide work? And how long does it take to start working?
Flecainide is a kind of drug called an antiarrhythmic. It works by slowing electrical activity in the heart. In doing so, flecainide can help prevent arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms).
Flecainide starts working right after you take it. But it may take several days for the drug to have its full effect in preventing an irregular heart rhythm.
If you’d like to know more about how flecainide works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Interactions and warnings
Interactions and warnings for flecainide
Below, you’ll find information about flecainide’s possible interactions and warnings.
Interactions of flecainide
Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.
Before you take flecainide, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:
- prescription or over-the-counter drugs
- vitamins, herbs, or supplements
To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for flecainide” section.
Warnings for flecainide
Some people should not take flecainide, and others should take it cautiously.
Boxed warnings
Flecainide has boxed warnings about the risks of death or nonfatal heart attack and new or worsened irregular heart rhythms in certain people. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
To learn more about these warnings, read below. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Risk of death or nonfatal heart attack in certain people. Taking flecainide may increase the risk of death or nonfatal heart attack for certain people. This risk may be highest for people who have:
- an irregular heart rhythm that isn’t life threatening
- had a heart attack in the past 2 years before starting treatment with flecainide
These side effects were rare in studies of flecainide.
With a heart attack, the heart doesn’t receive enough oxygen to function as it usually does. Symptoms may include tightening or squeezing of the chest or pain that travels to the jaw, neck, arm, or back.
If you experience these or other symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
If you have concerns about these risks, talk with your doctor. They’ll likely only prescribe flecainide if your condition is life threatening. Your doctor can recommend whether flecainide is the right treatment option for your condition.
Risk of new or worsened irregular heart rhythms in certain people. Taking flecainide may lead to new or worsened irregular heart rhythms in people with atrial fibrillation (AFib) or atrial flutter. This includes unusual heart rhythms that start in the heart’s ventricles (lower chambers).
This side effect was rare in studies of flecainide but can be life threatening.
Symptoms of an irregular heart rhythm may include:
- chest pain
- palpitations (a feeling of skipped or extra heartbeats)
- fatigue (low energy)
- lightheadedness
If you have concerns about new or worsened irregular heart rhythms with flecainide, talk with your doctor. They likely won’t prescribe flecainide if you have long-term AFib. Your doctor can recommend whether flecainide is the right treatment option for your condition.
Other warnings
Flecainide could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether flecainide is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of flecainide you take.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for flecainide, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Flecainide can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to flecainide or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe flecainide. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.
A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
- swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
- swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems
If you have an allergic reaction to flecainide, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Overdose of flecainide
You should not take more flecainide than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose. To learn about flecainide’s side effects, see the “Side effects of flecainide” section.
If you think you’ve taken too much flecainide, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding and flecainide
Information about flecainide and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Flecainide and pregnancy
There are risks to taking flecainide during pregnancy. But there are also risks with having irregular heart rhythms while pregnant. (Keep in mind that flecainide is prescribed to help prevent certain irregular heart rhythms.)
If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about irregular heart rhythm prevention options during pregnancy. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your options and decide whether you should take flecainide during pregnancy.
Flecainide and breastfeeding
In general, flecainide is considered safe to take while breastfeeding. That said, ask your doctor about whether they feel it’s safe for you.
Uses
Uses of flecainide
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as flecainide for certain conditions. The approved use for flecainide is described below.
Use for certain irregular heart rhythms
Doctors may prescribe flecainide oral tablet to help prevent certain irregular heart rhythms. These include certain kinds of atrial fibrillation (AFib), atrial flutter, and fast heart rate. It also includes irregular heart rhythms that start in the heart’s ventricles (the two lower chambers).
Flecainide is used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed for long-term use.
With irregular heart rhythms, your heart beats too slow, too fast, or in an erratic pattern. Symptoms of an irregular heart rhythm may include:
- chest pain
- palpitations (a feeling of skipped or extra heartbeats)
- fatigue (low energy)
- lightheadedness
Doctors typically will not prescribe flecainide unless your condition is life threatening. This is because the drug has boxed warnings about the risks of death or nonfatal heart attack and new or worsened irregular heart rhythms in certain people. For more details, see the “Interactions and warnings for flecainide” section.
Ask your doctor
What to ask your doctor
Let your doctor know if you have questions about flecainide or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Will flecainide cure my condition?
- How does flecainide compare with other treatments that help prevent irregular heart rhythms?
- Do I have any health conditions that increase my risk of side effects with flecainide?
Resources
Resources
- Flecainide acetate tablets, USP. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/a604aee4-30d5-4007-9882-98137d0d867f/spl-doc
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
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.
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