Flecainide used as a "Pill In A Pocket"

I have PAfib and don't take Flecainide.but there are many posts under this heading from people that do. Do a search

Hello, yes I have been on Flecainide for a long time now and take 50mg twice a day. On the odd occasion I have an attack of AF I take an extra dose. It normally goes back into sinus rhythm after about an hour. If it doesn't I have to make a trip to A and E . Don't be nervous doing this as I was on three doses a day for years before having dosage reduced and suffered no ill effects. Apparently this is quite a low dose.

  Best wishes.

I have had two episodes in the last 12 months. The first time it worked and the second time I had to go to A and E where I was given a further dose of Bisolprolol. Reverted to Sinus Rhythm after another hour and a half.

in the past I was not told to take an extra Flecainide at home and went straight to A and E where I was given intravenous  Flecainide. Much better to try the oral route if a hospital trip can be avoided. I have been told ,however, to go to A and E if I do not revert to Sinus Rhythm after one hour. Hope this helps you.

I have had several trips to A&E before I was told about that.   On each of those occasions by pulse was 194 + and on one occasion went up to 240 so glad I was there.  I was given what the hospital refer to as injection of doom  (but I feel worse than that every day) and a amiodarone drip.    That has worked in varying degrees once  1 hour and other times 6 hours or more.           Then the consultant told me to do the pop a pill and I wish I had known about it much earlier because it has given me a LOT of confidence about managing the situation myself.    The first time my pulse was up to 190+  but 100 Flecanide and it started to drop after an hour.      The 2nd time it took 15 mins.     The 3rd time Wednesday his week it varied a bit  - after an hour it eased a little then picked up but was still irregular.  After 2 hours I added the bisopropolol and that seemd to help. It stopped after 3 hours just at the point where I thought is wasn't going to happen.   So the answer is it varies but I can self manage well.    My main problem after is that I am very raw and sore inside and its sets up all sorts of hypersensivity and that can take a few days or weeks to settle but it does.    I hope it works as well for you.      It's much better than going to A&E for 24 hours and not sleeping. 

Thanks for posting this Sandi. I'm going through hell at present as my 50mg Flec obviously isn't doing its job but was reluctant to take another one as someone else posted on hear that they had mistakenly taken an extra dose and ended up very poorly. 

Will read the other responses and do give us an update as to whether this works for you

The Flec

Oh what fun - woke at 4.15am again  (the bewitching hour for my heart) and into AF.   2nd time in a week which suggests I will have to increase the Flecanide for the time.

Same pattern re needing to go to loo.     Anyway within an hour its settling so each time has been different - last week it took 3 hours to settle.   This is much better than when I didn't know I could take an extra dose  - or effectively this morning I've taken my morning dose a bit early and slightly more 100 instead of 75.   One thing I find helpful... and you may too is I have a BP/pulse monitor one of the handcuff variety.   - they are very accurate I've compared then with Ambulance readings when they have been.  When it blows of course some readings are all over the place but my repeats and then every few minutes I can see if I am dropping back to normal.     I normally know when it's ok again but its still re-assuring to see it going down.     The other thing is when I go into AF I do keep calm - not sure if that is just lucky or my will but the thought of staying calm to avoid A&E will help if possible.    Mind you have been totally calm at 240 and having jokes!  

Hello I am on Flecanide only as a "pill in the pocket" . I have intermitant atttacks varying from 4 days to two weeks . I only take 100mg when Afib comes back - therefore as a "pill in the pocket. So far it has worked, although sometimes it might take 24 hours before going backinto Sinus.  I hesitate to go on Flecainide permanently although suppose  would if I had to, I have never had to go to A&E though , If I have a session I usually wake up with it - feelng dizzy, nauseous ,but that tends to pass after food and I can usually lead a normal day even going to my yoga sessions and sooner or later  I discover that I am back in sinus - no particular reason other than the Flecainide working , even if after some time.