Flecainide Acetate
= Prescription Required 
= Generic Equvalent
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Flecainide 50mg Tablets
Flecainide Acetate
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Flecainide 100mg Tablets
Flecainide Acetate
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Tambocor 50mg Tablets
Flecainide Acetate
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Flecainide Acetate Prescription Drug Information
Flecainide Acetate (By mouth)
Flecainide Acetate (FLEK-a-nide AS-e-tate)
Used to prevent or treat irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) that are serious. Belongs to a class of drugs called antiarrhythmics.
Brand Name(s):Tambocor
There may be other brand names for Flecainide Acetate.
When Flecainide Acetate Should Not Be Used:
You should not use Flecainide Acetate if you have had an allergic reaction to flecainide or if you have certain heart problems. Your doctor will determine if Flecainide Acetate is right for you.
How to Use Flecainide Acetate:
Tablet
- You will receive your first dose of Flecainide Acetate in a hospital. Your doctor will watch you closely after you take Flecainide Acetate to make sure you do not have any serious side effects.
- Your doctor will tell you how much of Flecainide Acetate to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
- Flecainide Acetate may be taken with or without food.
- You may need to carry identification stating that you are taking flecainide. Ask your doctor about this.
- In infants (less than 2 years of age) who drink a lot of milk, your doctor may adjust the dose of Flecainide Acetate when it is time to reduce the amount of milk your infant is receiving, or if they develop gastroenteritis. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about this.
If a dose of Flecainide Acetate is missed:
- If you take your medicine two times a day and you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible unless you are more than 6 hours late.
- If you are more than 6 hours late, skip the missed dose, and take your medicine at your usual time.
- You should not use two doses at the same time.
How to Store and Dispose of Flecainide Acetate:
- Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
- Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
- Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid While Taking Flecainide Acetate:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are using other medicine for heart rhythm problems (such as amiodarone, disopyramide, quinidine, Cardioquin®, Cordarone®, Norpace®, or Quinaglute®), certain blood pressure medicine (such as atenolol, diltiazem, metoprolol, nifedipine, propranolol, timolol, verapamil, Adalat®, Calan®, Cardizem®, Inderal®, Isoptin®, Procardia®, Toprol®, or Verelan®), carbamazepine (Tegretol®), cimetidine (Tagamet®), digoxin (Lanoxin®), phenobarbital (Luminal®), phenytoin (Dilantin®), or a diuretic or "water pill" (such as hydrochlorothiazide [HCTZ], furosemide, torsemide, Demadex®, or Lasix®).
Warnings While Using Flecainide Acetate:
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, heart rhythm problems (such as prolonged PR, QRS, or QT intervals or sick sinus syndrome), a recent heart attack, congestive heart failure, or if you have a pacemaker.
- Check with your doctor right away if you develop any of the following: chest pain; shortness of breath; swelling of your hands, ankles, or feet; or weight gain. These may be symptoms of heart failure.
- Flecainide Acetate can cause changes in your heart rhythm, such as conditions called PR, QRS, or QT prolongation. It may cause fainting or serious side effects in some patients. Contact your doctor right away if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
- Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using Flecainide Acetate. You may need to stop using Flecainide Acetate several days before having surgery or medical tests.
- Do not stop using Flecainide Acetate suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
- Flecainide Acetate may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
- Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using Flecainide Acetate. Be sure to keep all appointments.
Possible Side Effects While Using Flecainide Acetate:
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
- Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
- Chest pain.
- Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat.
- Fever or chills.
- Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.
- Shortness of breath or troubled breathing.
- Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
- Tremors.
- Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.
If you notice these less serious side effects while taking Flecainide Acetate, talk with your doctor:
- Headache.
- Diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or stomach pain or cramps.
- Tiredness or weakness.
- Vision changes such as trouble focusing or seeing spots.
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by Flecainide Acetate, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088
