Flecainide Acetate

March 04, 2020

Medicine

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Flecainide Acetate is used to treat certain types of serious irregular heartbeats such as persistent ventricular tachycardia and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. 

Ventriculartachycardia is an abnormal heartbeat that originates inyour lower heart chamber called ventricles. It caused by abnormal electricalsignals sent across heart tissues. These types of arrhythmias cause your heartto beat too fast which prevents oxygen-rich blood from circulating to the brainand body. That may also result in cardiac arrest. A healthy heart normallybeats about 60-100 times a minute when at rest. It is also defined by signalsthat originate in the upper chambers of the heart. Some signs and symptoms ofthis condition may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Feeling as if your heart is racing
• Light-headedness
• Seizures
• Chest pain 

Thiscondition can be caused by a disruption in the normal electrical impulses thatcontrol the rate of your ventricles’ pumping action. Many things can causeproblems with the heart’s electrical system. It includes medication sideeffects, abuse of recreational drugs, or lack of oxygen to the heart due totissue damage from heart disease. 

Paroxysmalsupraventricular tachycardia is an abnormally fastheartbeat. It has a broad term that includes many forms of heart rhythmproblems. Most people with rare episodes of this condition live healthy liveswithout restrictions or interventions. For some, treatment and lifestylechanges can sometimes or eliminate rapid heartbeats. It may come and gosuddenly with stretches of normal heart rates in between. Symptoms may lastanywhere from a few minutes to a few days and some people have no symptoms atall. Some signs and symptoms may be:

• Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
• A fluttering in your chest
• Light-headedness or dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Fainting or near fainting 
• A pounding sensation in the neck 

FlecainideAcetate is a type of medicine called anti-arrhythmic drugs. This blocks certainelectrical signals on the heart that can cause an irregular heartbeat. Treatingan irregular heartbeat can lessen the risk for blood clots and this effect candecrease your risk of heart attack or stroke. The Food and Drug Administration(FDA) has already approved this prescription. Flecainide Acetate comes as atablet for oral use. Each tablet has the dosage strengths of 50 mg, 100 mg, and150 mg. 

How doesFlecainide Acetate work?

FlecainideAcetate decreases the sensitivity of the heart muscle cells to electricalimpulses. This slows and regulates the electrical conduction in the heartmuscle. In which it helps to restore disturbances in the heart rhythm.

The heart’spumping action is controlled by electrical signals that pass through the heartmuscle. The electrical signals cause the two pairs of heart chambers which areleft and right atria and ventricles to contract in a regular manner thatproduces the heartbeat. If the electrical activity in the heart is disturbedfor any reason, irregular heartbeats of various types can result. These canseriously undermine the pumping action of the heart and result in inefficientblood circulation around the body.

How to useFlecainide Acetate?

Thismedication is to be taken by mouth usually twice a day or as directed by yourdoctor. Each dose is taken with or without a meal. The dosage is based on yourmedical condition and response to it. Your doctor may instruct you to start ata lower dose and gradually increase it. 

Swallowthe tablet as a whole with a full glass of water. Do not crush, break, or chewit. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the products you use. The continuoustaking of this medication exactly as it is prescribed by your doctor is veryimportant. Do not increase your dose, take this drug more often thanprescribed, or stop taking it even for a short time unless directed to do so byyour doctor. Changing or skipping your dosage without approval from your doctormight treat the condition harder or let side effects get worse. If you missed adose, take it as soon as you remember it. If it is almost time for your nextdose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do notdouble the dose to make up for the missed dose. Let your doctor know if yourcondition does not improve or if it gets worse.

What arethe side effects of Flecainide Acetate?

Commonside effects:

• Tingling
• Numbness
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Weakness
• Tiredness
• Tremor or shaking
• Constipation 
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting 
• Nausea
• Headache 
• Shortness of breath 
• Vision problems (blurred vision, seeing spots, or problems focusing)
• Dizziness 

Call yourdoctor if you have these side effects:

• Jaundice or yellowing of the skin or eyes 
• Fever
• Flu-like symptoms 
• Pale skin
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Unusual weakness 
• Swelling
• Rapid gain weight
• Feeling short of breath
• Slow heart rate, slow breathing, or weak pulse
• Fast or pounding heartbeats 
• Fluttering in your chest 
• Shortness of breath
• Sudden dizziness 

Warningsand Precautions

• Before treatment with this medicine is started your doctor will want you to have a blood test to check your liver and kidney function. It is to give you the correct dose of medicine. The levels of electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, or magnesium in your blood will also be checked and your doctor will correct any problems before starting this treatment.
• Most medications that control abnormal heart rhythms can also provoke them in some circumstances. For this reason, if you feel like your heart condition has got worse or your heartbeat changes, starts to pound, or gets faster or slower, it is important to consult your doctor right away. 
• Use this with caution in people with decreased kidney or liver function, artificial pacemaker, heart disease or an enlarged heart, or those with a sudden onset of irregular heartbeats. 
• This is not recommended for use in people who have had a heart attack, heart failure, heart valve disease, long-term irregular heartbeats, and n children under 12 years old. 
• If you ever had an allergic reaction to this medication, let your doctor know. Tell as well if you have any allergies. This drug may contain an inactive ingredient that causes an allergic reaction.