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|Flecainide

Flecainide

Flecainide is used for:

Treating and preventing various types of irregular heartbeat that lead to life-threatening heart rhythm disturbances.

Flecainide is an antiarrhythmic. It works by stabilizing the heart rhythm when the heart is beating too fast or in an irregular rhythm.

Do NOT use Flecainide if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Flecainide
• you have severe heart problems (eg, certain types of heart blocks or shock) or a history of severe heart problems
• you are taking an HIV protease inhibitor (eg, ritonavir)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Flecainide :

Some medical conditions may interact with Flecainide . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure, heart attack, sick sinus syndrome) or a history of heart problems
• if you have severe kidney or liver problems
• if you have abnormal potassium blood levels

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Flecainide . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Calcium channel blockers (eg, nifedipine, verapamil), cimetidine, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (eg, duloxetine) because the risk of side effects of Flecainide , including heart problems, blood problems, or seizures, may be increased
• Antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, quinidine, disopyramide), arsenic, beta-blockers (eg, propranolol, sotalol), droperidol, pimozide, serotonin receptor antagonists (eg, dolasetron), or ziprasidone because the risk of side effects, such as irregular heartbeat or other heart problems, may be increased
• Digoxin because actions and side effects may be increased by Flecainide

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Flecainide may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Flecainide :

Use Flecainide as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Flecainide may be taken with or without food.
• The initial dose of Flecainide will be given by a qualified health care provider in a medical setting.
• If you miss a dose of Flecainide , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Flecainide .

Important safety information:

• Flecainide may cause dizziness, blurred vision, or lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Flecainide . Using Flecainide alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Flecainide .
• Do not suddenly stop taking Flecainide without checking with your doctor.
• LAB TESTS may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Flecainide is not recommended for use in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Flecainide during pregnancy. Flecainide is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Flecainide , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Flecainide :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Blurred vision; constipation; difficulty focusing; dizziness; faintness; headache; nausea; seeing spots; stomach discomfort; tiredness; unsteadiness; weakness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; difficulty breathing; fainting; fast heartbeat; heart attack; life-threatening irregular heartbeat; lightheadedness; pounding in the chest; seizures; tremor; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; nausea; seizures; slow heartbeat; vomiting.

Store Flecainide at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Flecainide out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Flecainide , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Flecainide is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Flecainide . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.