Can you take flecainide as needed?
Can you take flecainide as needed?
Adults—At first, 100 milligrams (mg) every 12 hours. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 400 mg per day. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
How long does it take for flecainide to work for AFib?
The single dose oral loading regimen of flecainide appears to be effective for cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation with a relatively rapid effect within 2-4 h, and is free of serious complications in patients without structural heart disease.
How is flecainide acetate used in the United States?
Flecainide acetate is available globally in oral formulation; its IV formulation is available in many countries but not the United States. Oral and IV flecainide have a Class 1A designation for the acute pharmacologic conversion of recent AF. IV flecainide, where available, is commonly used in emergency departments for the acute termination of AF.
How is flecainide used to treat atrial flutter?
Flecainide is indicated for patients with atrial flutter, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, and the prevention of documented life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.
Which is more effective flecainide or amiodarone for AF?
In clinical trials and real-world use, flecainide has proven to be more effective than other AADs for the acute termination of recent onset AF. Flecainide is also moderately effective and, with the exception of amiodarone, equivalent to other AADs for the chronic suppression of paroxysmal and persistent AF.
How much flecainide should I take for atrial fibrillation?
The most commonly used doses are 100 to 150 mg bid. 8 Flecainide is usually initiated at 100 mg bid, though a minority of patients will respond to doses as low as 50 mg BID. The dose may be escalated based on QRS duration prolongation of less than 50% over baseline after 4 days of administration. Concomitant Therapy With Beta-Blocking Agents
What happens if you don’t take flecainide for a while?
Continue to take flecainide even if you feel well. Do not stop taking flecainide without talking to your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking flecainide, your condition may become worse. This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. What special precautions should I follow?
When to take flecainide for atrial fibrillation?
Flecainide works well for treating atrial fibrillation only if it’s paroxysmal, which means that it comes and goes pretty infrequently. Some people are given a single dose of flecainide to take as soon as they notice a new episode of atrial fibrillation.
How is flecainide used as a combination medicine?
Flecainide may be used as part of a combination therapy. That means you need to take it with other drugs. Flecainide belongs to a class of drugs called antiarrhythmics. A class of drugs refers to medications that work similarly. They have a similar chemical structure and are often used to treat similar conditions.
How often should I increase my dose of flecainide?
You may be hospitalized when you begin your treatment with flecainide. Your doctor will monitor you carefully during this time and for as long as you continue to take flecainide. Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of flecainide and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every 4 days.