Flecainide Acetate

Flecainide Acetate tablets belong to a group of medicines called anti-arrhythmics. Anti-arrhythmics work by controlling the rate and rhythm of the heart. Flecainide Acetate tablets are used to treat:

• Arrhythmias (irregular heart beat)
• Tachycardia (heart beating too fast)
• Atrial fibrillation (rapid contractions of muscles in the heart).

It is important for your doctor to treat these conditions quickly and effectively in order to prevent more serious heart problems from developing.

Flecainide blocks fast inward sodium channels and slowly unbinds during diastole, prolonging the refractory period of the heart. This blockade also shortens the duration of action potentials through the Purkinjie fibers. Flecainide also prevents delayed rectifier potassium channels from opening, lengthening the action potential through ventricular and atrial muscle fibers. Finally, flecainide also blocks ryanodine receptor opening, reducing calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum, which reduces depolarization of cells.

Supraventricular arrhythmias (Irregular heart beat that starts in the upper chambers of your heart): The recommended dose is one 50 mg tablet twice a day. Your doctor may prescribe up to a total dose of 300 mg daily.

Ventricular arrhythmias (Irregular heart beat that starts in the lower chambers of your heart): The recommended dose is 100 mg tablet twice a day. Your doctor may prescribe up to a total dose of 400 mg daily.

For elderly patients, and patients with kidney or heart problems, the doctor may tell you to take a lower dose.

While you are taking this medicine, your doctor may ask you to have check-ups. These are to make sure that your medicine is working properly and that the dose you are taking is right for you.

Use in Children: Flecainide Acetate tablets are not recommended for children under 12 years of age, However, dairy products such as milk, infant formula and possibly yoghurt, may reduce how much flecainide acetate is absorbed in children and infants.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including those obtained without prescription, and in particular, any of the following:

• Any other medicine used to treat heart arrhythmias or heart problems such as cardiac glycosides, beta-blockers, verapamil, propranol or amiodarone
• Medicines to treat high blood pressure
• Antidepressants (medicines used to treat depression), such as tricyclic antidepressants, fluoxetine, paroxetine or reboxetine
• Anticonvulsants (medicines used to prevent epileptic fits) such as phenytoin, phenobarbital or carbamazepine
• Antipsychotics (medicines to treat mental illness) such as clozapine
• Antihistamines (medicines to treat allergic reactions) such as mizolastine or terfenadine
• Quinine (medicine to treat malaria)
• Medicines to treat HIV such as ritonavir, lopinavir or indinavir
• Diuretics (water tablets)
• Cimetidine (medicine to treat stomach ulcers)
• Bupropion (a medicine to help stop you smoking)

These medicines may interfere with your treatment.

Do not take Flecainide Acetate tablets if you:

• are allergic to flecainide acetate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine
• have heart failure
• have cardiogenic shock (your heart is unable to pump as much blood as your body needs)
• have heart block (your heart misses beats)
• have long-standing atrial fibrillation (rapid contractions of muscles in the heart)
• have or have ever had any heart problems including problems with the valves in your heart or conduction problems
• have sinus node dysfunction (a specific condition where your heart beats abnormally)
• have had a myocardial infarction (heart attack)
• have Brugada Syndrome, a genetic disease that causes severe disturbances of the rhythm of the heart and may lead to sudden death in apparently healthy individuals.
• are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Some side effects could be serious. If you have any of the side effects listed below, seek immediate medical help:

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• Your heartbeat changes; it starts to pound, or it gets faster or slower
• You have chest pain
• You become breathless or have other breathing problems
• You have a fever, become flushed or sweat
• You faint or you feel faint

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):

• You have ringing in your ears
• Your skin and eyes begin to go yellow (jaundice)
• You have fits (convulsions).

Other side effects (how often they happen is unknown):

• heart attack
• cardiac failure/arrest (loss of breathing, and consciousness and loss of heart function)

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Before you take Flecainide Acetate tablets your doctor may check:

• Your fluid levels are correct
• Your liver and kidney functions.

Warnings and precautions: Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Flecainide Acetate tablets if you:

• have high blood pressure
• have angina (chest pains)
• have heart disease
• have kidney disease or kidney problems
• have liver disease or liver problems
• wear a pacemaker.

Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.