Flecainide and Tiredness: What Users Say

• Ash...
• September 24, 2014

For Atrial Fibrillation "My PACs 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 atrial fibrillation. 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 atrial fibrillation. My PACs 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 heart beats normally now, it's awesome!"

• Mga...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 9, 2021

For Atrial Fibrillation "I began having AFib episodes that sometimes lasted for hours. At 74, my electrocardiologist prescribed 100 mg of flecainide 2 times a day. The AFib stopped, but after about a year I was feeling lousy. I was always tired, lethargic, and 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; I developed constipation. My PC doctor ordered blood work-all normal. I called the electrocardiologist's office and told them. They cut the flecainide dose in half to 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."

• Mga...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 9, 2021

For Atrial Fibrillation "I began having AFib episodes that sometimes lasted for hours. At 74, my electrocardiologist prescribed 100 mg of flecainide 2 times a day. The AFib stopped, but after about a year I was feeling lousy. I was always tired, lethargic, and 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; I developed constipation. My PC doctor ordered blood work-all normal. I called the electrocardiologist's office and told them. They cut the flecainide dose in half to 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."

• Jan...
• September 23, 2017

For Atrial Fibrillation "After an ER episode for atrial fib (which I believe was a one-time stress-induced issue), I was bullied into taking this med by the 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 darn 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 lbs 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, focused, and motivated. This is a bad drug, in my opinion."

• Jus...
• April 27, 2011

Flecainide for Atrial Fibrillation "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 9:00 PM 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."

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2013

For Atrial Fibrillation "I've suffered with Atrial Fibrillation off and on since 2004. Today was the first time I have tried Flecainide. It took 1 1/2 hours to work. I didn't have any side effects other than 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 Flecainide. I am not a pill taker, and I refuse to take these on a day-to-day basis. It will only be as needed."

• Alf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2019

For Ventricular Tachycardia "Have dealt with PVCs, PACs, and ventricular tachycardia for 30 years. The last year, my PVCs became trigeminy, or every third beat was a skip. I feel these skips, so it was a severe quality of life issue for me. My cardiologist started me on 50 mg of flecainide every 12 hours. I have been taking it for three months, and 95% of my PVCs and 100% of my tach is gone. I do get tired often and lightheaded from time to time, but a small price to pay for the elimination of my symptoms. Hope my good fortune with this drug continues."

• Mar...
• December 16, 2016

For Atrial Fibrillation "I've been on Flecainide for about 3 months. Before, I was having Afib every day, usually at night for over a year. And even after taking other medications prior to Flecainide, it would take several hours before the Afib would go away. It was a terrible existence. Since taking Flecainide, I have had NO Afib. This, to me, has been remarkable. The side effects for me are mainly tiredness for a couple of hours after taking it. It might give me constipation, but I really think that diet plays a greater role. Eating more fiber and veggies, and less meat is better for me. I have been taking Flecainide once in the early afternoon and then once usually an hour before bedtime, each time with 100 mg. I wonder if I can stop taking it in the future?"

• Anonymous
• October 10, 2011

For Atrial Fibrillation "I was having regular episodes of atrial fibrillation. Often 2-3 per day, lasting from a few minutes to several hours. Started on 100mg flecainide twice a day. Episodes stopped, but suffered from muscle soreness and felt tired all the time. Doctor dropped the dosage to 50mg twice a day. Symptoms lessened and have not had an episode in 5 years."

• In ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2019

For Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia "I've been dealing with paroxysmal AFib for 4 years. I am a healthy, athletic 64-year-old male. After my first episode, the cardiologist did all the tests, echocardiogram, etc. The heart is structurally healthy. He put me on Toprol 25 mg twice a day. Didn't get another episode for about 2 years. AFib returned more frequently, maybe once every 6 months, and has increased to almost weekly. I always self-convert after 6-8 hours, but it is very annoying. And I'm very afraid of a stroke as I was not on any blood thinners. The new cardiologist put me on 50 mg flecainide 2x a day, Toprol XR, and Xarelto. So far, not one incident. Flecainide seems to be working wonderfully. No side effects except for being a little tired. We'll see how this works. I want to avoid an ablation if I can help it."

• Gca...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 22, 2017

Flecainide for Supraventricular Tachycardia "I have been on Tambocor for 7 years now, and in the past 2 years, I have been having dizzy spells, almost blackout, panic attacks for no reason, breathing problems out of the blue, eyes are blurring up more and more each year, no energy, weak muscles, and not for lack of trying, I just can't get them to tone up, so I consider myself weak. My tummy gets upset, ringing in the ears, and the most annoying, other than the dizziness, is the low blood pressure, it just drops so many times! These are all symptoms for this drug. I was in denial for a long time, as these side effects were minimal and just became worse. I'm not on any other drug. I'll have to go off it, but what's next??"

• A f...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2015

For Atrial Fibrillation "Had AFib for 6 months. Did the cardioversion once. Went on this drug 5 days later, tried cardioversion again, and it worked. Been on drug now for 10 days. Feeling tired, have shortness of breath with even light exercise, like walking around the block. Also, headaches, not happy about it."

• you...
• January 10, 2018

For Atrial Fibrillation "After years of severe AF and trials of sotalol and beta blockers - which didn't control the symptoms and left me with no quality of life - memory loss, muscle aches, and tiredness. Flecainide has changed it all. I still get a little bit of AF but not as severe or lasting as long. More like a wee flutter. I take 100 mg CR per day at night with food. I have stopped taking sotalol in the morning - I am a 59-year-old female."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 12, 2021

For Atrial Fibrillation "I was having more frequent episodes of Afib, some lasting for 2-3 hours. I was put on Flecainide in Sept. 2019--50 mg morning and evening. It got the episodes under control right away, but I developed tremors in my arms and legs. I had trouble going down the stairs, and I had difficulty writing. I was very tired and felt winded most of the time. I found it hard to do anything without feeling tired. My life was really affected. My dosage was adjusted to half a pill, 25 mg, twice a day. Within a day, the symptoms subsided. That verified what I suspected all along--the medication was the cause. So far, things seem to be okay. I hope it lasts."

• Sla...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 2, 2023

For Atrial Fibrillation "Discovered I was in A-Fib and A-Flutter in 2010 at age 55, by accident when a doctor caught my heart rate at 188. No symptoms, other than being extremely tired and dizzy. Multiple medicines over 3 months, including flecainide up to 100 mg twice a day. All failed. The cardiologist specifically said flecainide failed and was of no use to me. Had an ablation (7.5-hour surgery with 275 burn spots) which worked for years. My trigger seems to be pain. No alcohol. The last 3 months (early 2023) have been back in A-Fib daily. A new cardiologist wanted me to try flecainide again at 50 mg twice a day. No effect. Increased the flecainide to 100 mg twice a day. Symptoms worse. Feel horrible. Can’t do much of anything. Can’t concentrate. Bad headaches. Just want to sleep. Constant A-Fib. The cardiologist sent my records to an EP. Immediately scheduled ablation and stopped the flecainide. Flecainide may work for some people, but it is an absolute failure for me."

• Lyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2021

For Atrial Flutter "I have had bigeminy (heart palpitations or fluttering) for 2 years and have PVCs so strong I felt like my heart stopped, was out of breath, and felt faint. I started flecainide 100 mg every 12 hours. It has made a great difference, and my symptoms have disappeared. I am a bit tired, but it is getting better."

• mov...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 18, 2016

For Atrial Fibrillation "After years of Sotalol and many AF attacks, flecainide has been a wonder drug for me. I get tired, but don't blame flecainide, that's too easy. Many things cause tiredness!"