Flecainide for Atrial Fibrillation User Reviews

• Tee...
• September 28, 2018

"At 40, I had my first ablation and began taking Metoprolol 50mg daily. Over the years, I've developed CHF, Bradycardia, SVT, A-Flutter and A-Fib. In March '11 I received a pacemaker and metoprolol doses have tripled over the years. Had my 4th ablation in 2012. Recently found a new doctor (ins change) who reduced metoprolol from 150mg to 12.5mg/2x daily, and added on 50mg of Flecainide 2x daily. I was nearly bedridden for two weeks afterwards with cardiac events, 3 ambulance trips to the E.R. and no quality of life; I had given up all hope. And then miraculously, in the past 5 days, it feels like my heart has BASICALLY healed. I just got home from a 1.5 mile walk in the 100°+ Arizona heat; no arrhythmias and energy levels are back up! Give this medicine time to work. It took a few weeks, but I'm here. I turned 51 four weeks ago & haven't felt this WELL in 11 years. Flecainide isn't for everyone, but it saved my life! Thx for reading. May God Bless you along your journey."

• Ashfo...
• September 24, 2014

"My pac's started up about 10 years ago and 18 months ago I developed Atrial-flutter and Atrial-fibrillation. I had an ablation for flutter but still had A-fibrilation. This medicine scared the heck out of me after reading about it online. I decided to trust my EP and give it a shot. It's been 3 months since I started and no A-fibrillation. My Pac's have nearly gone away as well. I used to get 500 skips in a day but now I only feel one or two total during the course of a week. I feel great and hope it keeps working. After I started taking Flecainide, I did have about 10-14 days of mild side effects (tired, headache, indigestion-bloating) but feel completely normal now. I have much more energy and psychologically I am very upbeat. My heard beats normally now, it's awesome!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 19, 2012

"Started taking Flecainide in 2008. Doctor suggested 100mg twice a day to control Atrial Fibrillation. I asked if I could take 1/2 a pill twice a day (50mg x 2). Even though he said it wouldn't be enough, I wanted to try the lower dose. My theory was that if I have to take a medicine, the least amount that would serve the purpose would be preferred. He agreed to let me try the lower dose. The only time I've had atrial fibrillation since is when I forgot to take the medicines. Four years on Flecainide, so far so good, with no noticeable side effects."

• Missi...
• January 29, 2018

"This medication literally killed my mom. They increased it from 50mg to 150 mg twice a day after pacemaker and she slowly declined. Shortness of breath, severe weakness, nausea, no appetite. After 3 months she became toxic from the flecaenide and collapsed at my house. Called the ambulance and she passed away within 21 hours. Total organ shutdown. Her death certificate said flecaenide toxicity. PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH THIS MED AND INSIST THEY CHANGE IT IF YOU GET ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS. I had Mom to the cardiologist on Monday with Doppler, blood work, echo, EKG, and pacer check but NO flecainide level was done. All tests were perfect. Called Dr on Tues because she could not even walk. They said she had fluid overload and increased diuretic. She was gone by Thursday. She went from a fit, beautiful, energetic lady in Sept to gone in December. "

• Steve
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 24, 2020

"For 2 years I have taken flecainide 50mg twice a day for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation and it works great, to the point of being able to work hard at the gym daily. I had previously tried 100mg once a day and also 50mg once a day. But it didn't work as well for me. I have an active life because of this drug."

• Beth...
• July 27, 2013

"This medicine works in 20 minutes for me. Too bad more doctors aren't familiar with it. Even some of my own cardiologists never prescribed it; took 15 years of lone atrial fibrillation and one savvy old cardio doctor in the ER one night to make life easier. Now I don't leave home without it."

• Mick...
• September 4, 2013

"I have Lone Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation, and was having monthly 12 hour episodes very symptomatic, shortness of breath pounding in my chest, fatigued but all self terminating. I went on 50mg twice per day flecainide in February 2012, which kept the thing at bay for 6 months, but in August 2012 had a 12 hour episode, my dose was then upped to 50mg 3 times per day which I space in equal doses throughout the day so as not to get flecainide highs and lows in my bloodstream and so far have been 13 months free of the dreaded thing, oh yes I also take 2.5mg of bisoprolol fumarate once per day and 75mg dispersable aspirin once per day. So as far as I am concerned its a wonder pill. Before this I was getting more and more depressed with the episodes."

• Ken...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2013

"I am 55 male, my Atrial Fibrillation was getting worse, then on Oct 2012, I did not feel very well, so walked to the ER to have them take a look. Well, they said my heart rate was 170 and irregular, so they kept me there for 2 days, giving me medicine to slow it down. Then discharged with Diltiazem once a day. After 2 months, doc said let's try to fix the rhythm with cardioversion, so he gave me blood thinner for a month, and Flecainide 2 days before the cardioversion. On the day I was supposed to be cardioverted, my heart was back to sinus rhythm due to Flecainide. So doc told me to stay with Flecainide 100mg twice a day. Been 2 months now, feeling good, always in sinus. Tomorrow going to see doc and ask him if I can go with 50mg twice daily, or entirely off."

• rozebot
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 9, 2017

"I've been taking 50mg of flecainide twice a day for 2 years now and still love it. I have had no incidences of afib and no side effects. I do like my alcohol and have 1-2 drinks daily. I believe the flecainide keeps me from having an alcohol related episode which my doctor believes is my trigger. I agree with him but also think dehydration, dieting and stress have been contributing factors as well, and again, the flecainide overrides them all. I'm sure it's not perfect for everyone, but for me it's been a godsend."

• Mgarv
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 9, 2021

"Began having afib episodes that sometimes lasted for hours. At 74, electrocardiologist prescribed 100 mg of Flecainide 2 x a day. The afib stopped, but after about a year I was feeling lousy. I was always tired, lethargic, out of breath. My legs shook going down stairs. I could barely hold a pen still to write. I gained about 7-8 pounds in a year. No matter how little I ate; developed constipation. My PC Dr. ordered bloodwork--all normal. Called electrocardiologist office and told them. They cut the flecainide dose in half--50 mg twice a day. The leg and hand tremors improved in 24 hours. Shortness of breath and fatigue also improved. They said the dose was too high. The afib didn't come back either. I lost several pounds and my constipation improved a little. 5-6 months later, I'm feeling kind of fatigued with some tremors but not as bad. More monitoring early on would be helpful."

• patae
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 29, 2015

"I don't ever like taking new medicines especially those that can have severe side effects. I started taking Flecainide 50 mg 2 x a day on October 13th as my paroxysmal atrial fib was getting more and more common. Before this year I would get afib once a month. Then it started happening a few times a week, sometimes more. My cardiologist prescribed Flecainide because the afib was affecting my quality of life. So far it is definitely working to keep my heart in rythym., No abnormalities that I know of. However I do have a slight headache most of the time and feel fatigued a lot and sometimes feel a little like I am not taking a full breath. I am trying to see if these symptoms subside."

• Irish
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 9, 2018

"I am extremely sensative to my AFib. Tried many meds and combination thereof when first diagnosed but they didn't work. In desperation went to a specialist and he put me on Flecainide. This is the only drug that works for me. My AFib ceased immediately and rarely have I had breakthroughs. I have had no ill affects from the medicine and have been on it for over 8 years. I could not function without it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 31, 2012

Tambocor (flecainide) "I used it for 6 years. After 3 years I started having peripheral vision problems of tiny white moving spots. I assumed it was an eye problem, but my ophthalmologists didn't see a reason. It is a side effect of this medicine."

• Nanfran
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2016

"Three months ago, because of paroxysmal afib and after wearing an event monitor, I was put on both Flecainide (50 mg twice per day) and Metoprolol (50mg at night). The original dose was Flecainide 100 mg twice per day, but when I told the cardiologist that I didn't like the way it made me feel, he immediately said "Well OK, just take half the amount each time", as though the difference wasn't a big deal! The Flecainide seems to be working, but instead of feeling better I am feeling progressively worse by the day. Not sure whether Flecainide is to blame or the Metoprolol. Feel I'm in a dream most of the time, excessive daytime sleepiness, slight dizziness, memory problems, depression. Hard to get hold of cardiologist."

• Janet-L
• September 23, 2017

"After ER episode for atrial fib (which I believe was one-time stress-induced issue) I was bullied into taking this med by hospital upon discharge. My job as a knowledge worker requires me to *think* for a living. I'm considered an expert in my field. This damn drug put me in a mental fog to the point that I stared at the computer screen wondering what I was looking at. My mood became aggressive, depressed and I felt increasingly isolated, listless, tired, but hard to sleep. I gained about 15 lb with no change in diet, in fact I probably ate less. I lost desire for my usual workout routine. After weaning off after 6 months, and now taking only daily aspirin, I'm back to my happy self, focussed and motivated. This is a bad drug, IMO."

• rozebot
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 11, 2015

"I am a 59 year old female and have been taken off of Flecainide (100 mg./day) after using it for 5 months since my occasional afib episodes stopped. I was advised to stop drinking alcohol by my electrophysiologist since he was convinced this was my trigger. I did for a while, but then started having a couple of drinks a few times a week. In the past few months, I have had 2 episodes and now use the 'pill in the pocket' method to stop them. I thank 'googling' for even knowing of this method since my doctor didn't tell me about it until I brought it up, however he did say it was fine to do and recommended taking 2 of the 50 mg. pills at one time. Within 1 hour, both times, my heart reverted back to its normal rhythm and I had no ill effects."

• Melodye
• May 10, 2017

"Benign artrial fibrillation. Cardiologist tried everything -- next step was surgery. Was having from 10-15 six hour episodes per month and ruining quality of life. Have been on flecainide for 2 years and it is now completely under control. Only episodes I've had were a year ago during a bronchitis episode but as soon as antibiotics kicked in the a-fib was gone again. Absolutely no side effects and this medicine has changed my life."

• poste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 7, 2018

"This stuff almost killed me. I went from active and alive, to sedentary and out of breathe. Dizzy spells, weakness, chest pain, lightheadedness, insomnia and basically feeling like garbage. I would stop breathing when sitting up in a chair if I happened to doze off. Finally, the doctor listened to me and took me off it completely. I am now going to wear a monitor for 30 days and then be evaluated for ablation. My Afib was only happening about every 4 months and had only happened 3 times. Flecainide reduced my quality of life from excellent to horrible in 3 short weeks. I am DONE!"

• Happy...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 4, 2020

"I have been on Flecainide (Tambocor) since 1985. While I've Arrhythemogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia , in addition to it I also have multipe sinus nodes, 4 leaking valves and a small hole (PFO). This medication flecainide is keeping me alive. Over the years I've asked doctors if there is anything else that I can take. They've tried so many other drugs there isn't enough space to list them! I've been in GW Hospital, several other hospitals and finally wound up in NIH. That's where I was diagnosed. Like many of you, I've passed out and actually had my heart pump backwards due to wrong meds. I've had ablations with no success. I've had EPS studies and dye pumped into my heart. At this point in my life, now 73 in 2020, I've just accepted the fact that this drug is keeping me alive. Finally after years of fighting the cost, Costco had the lowest price but now using GoodRx, I'm able to pay only $38.08 for 100mg 2x day for 90 days at my local grocery store, Publix. I'm a happy camper."

• LA2
• June 9, 2014

"Flecainide caused increased incidents of atrial fibrillation. Each time I visited the doctor with increased incidents, he would increase the dosage until I finally figured out that the flecainide was the cause. Stopped taking the medicine and the incidents decreased."

• Alano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2019

"My heart would race on average once every 10 days and typically when I'm jogging. After many tests, Dr said I have paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and added Flecainide 50mg (twice a day) to my other drugs. I started on a Tuesday and stopped on Saturday. Wednesday had 4 episodes, Thursday had 9, Friday had over 12, Saturday stopped counting. One episode had to put my face in ice water to bring back my heart to normal pace (Vagal maneuver). Sunday decided to stop Flecainide and over the next 5 days felt better and better, by the following Friday had no episodes. Flecainide is right for many people, but for some reason I did not feel well on it."

• bad_d...
• July 28, 2016

"Beware of this drug. My mother was put on this drug in addition to diltiazem. It sucked all the life out of her. She got tremors; couldn't walk 100 meters without catching a breath. Major fatigue and weight gain. If you're sensitive to meds, do not use this drug. She will stop this drug today."

• Money...
• June 22, 2014

"I had an episode of atrial fibrillation once in 1979, once in 1999 and once in 2009. A cardiologist then said I was to take Flecainide if I had another episode. I woke up one night in 2011 with atrial fibrillation so I waited one hour as instructed and then took two Flecainide tablets, The fibrillation stopped an hour after I took the tablets.There were no side effects. Another cardiologist has recommended that I take Flecainide and the blood thinner Pradaxa next time atrial fibrillation occurs."

• Robyn
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2013

"I've suffered with Atrial Fibrillation off and on since 2004. Today was the first time I have tired Flecainide. It took 1 1/2 hours to work. I didn't have any side effects other then feeling a little tired. I seem to get atrial fibrillation every other year when I drink or eat something really cold. This episode was brought on by a cold glass of milk. I was in A Fib for 8 days, next time I'll take a Flecainide. I am not a pill taker and I refuse to take these on a day to day. It will only be as needed."

• Justa...
• April 27, 2011

Tambocor (flecainide) "Coming up on 1 year of Tambocor Metoprolol for treatment of atrial fibrillation. It works very well, no attacks at all since starting Tambocor, hence my life is better in that respect. However, there is a trade off, my energy level is lower and I feel exactly the same when I get up at 7:30 in the morning; whether I go to bed at 9:00PM or stay up until after midnight. I am chronically tired. Also, I notice strange things with my peripheral vision occasionally since on the Tambocor. That's not to scare anyone off, I can still function normally, from yard work, to splitting wood, to playing golf, on the outside I doubt anyone who knows me has a clue that I am on medication. It is a "feeling" to me. I can tell I am a little "off" but it's worth it."