DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: flecainide (fleck ANE ide)
Brand Names: Tambocor

What is flecainide?

Flecainide affects the way that your heart beats.

Flecainide is used to treat serious irregularity in heartbeat patterns.

Flecainide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about flecainide?

Do not skip doses or change your dosing schedule without talking to your doctor. Changing your schedule could make your condition much worse. Smoking may reduce the amount of flecainide in your body. Do not start or stop smoking without first talking to your doctor. You may need a change in your dosage.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking flecainide?

Before taking flecainide, tell your doctor if you have

• any other type of heart disease or heart problems,

• liver disease, or
• kidney disease.

You may not be able to take flecainide, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Flecainide is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether flecainide will harm an unborn baby. Do not take flecainide without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. Flecainide passes into breast milk. It is not known whether flecainide will affect a nursing infant. Do not take flecainide without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take flecainide?

Take flecainide exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Flecainide can be taken with or without food.

Do not skip doses or change your dosing schedule without talking to your doctor. Changing your schedule could make your condition much worse. Store flecainide at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Try not to miss any doses of this medication. Missing doses could be very dangerous.

If you do miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication. A double dose could be dangerous.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a flecainide overdose include tiredness, dizziness, confusion, difficulty breathing, heart attack, and a worsening irregular heartbeat.

What should I avoid while taking flecainide?

Smoking may reduce the amount of flecainide in your body. Do not start or stop smoking without first talking to your doctor. Your flecainide dosage may have to be changed.

Follow any other special instructions given by your doctor regarding food, beverages, or activities.

Flecainide side effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking flecainide and seek emergency medical attention:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• a new or a worsening irregular heartbeat pattern;

• wheezing, coughing, chest pain, or chest discomfort; or

• decreased heart rate.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take flecainide and talk to your doctor if you experience

• dizziness or tiredness;

• upset stomach, abdominal pain, or constipation;

• headache or blurred vision; or

• swelling.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems or unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect flecainide?

Before taking flecainide, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• amiodarone (Cordarone),

• cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB),

• disopyramide (Norpace),

• propranolol (Inderal), or

• verapamil (Verelan, Calan, Isoptin).

The medicines listed above may increase the effects of flecainide. You may require a lower dose of flecainide if you are taking any of these medicines.

Also, flecainide may increase the effects of drugs such as propranolol (Inderal) and digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps), and side effects could result. Tell your doctor if you are taking these medicines.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with flecainide. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has more information about flecainide written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Flecainide is available with a prescription under the brand name Tambocor. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Tambocor 50 mg--white, round tablets

• Tambocor 100 mg--white, round, scored tablets

• Tambocor 150 mg--white, oval, scored tablets

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.06. Revision Date: 8/2/04 12:29:37 PM.