Flecainide Tablets

What is this medication?

FLECAINIDE (FLEK a nide) prevents and treats a fast or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). It is often used to treat a type of arrhythmia known as AFib (atrial fibrillation). It works by slowing down overactive electric signals in the heart, which stabilizes your heart rhythm. It belongs to a group of medications called antiarrhythmics.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Tambocor

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• High or low levels of potassium in the blood
• Heart disease including heart rhythm and heart rate problems
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Recent heart attack
• An unusual or allergic reaction to flecainide, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breastfeeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth with a glass of water. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Do not take your medication more often than directed. Do not stop taking this medication suddenly. This may cause serious, heart-related side effects. If your care team wants you to stop the medication, the dose may be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be prescribed for children as young as 1 year for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Amoxapine
• Arsenic trioxide
• Certain antibiotics, such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, gatifloxacin, gemifloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, sparfloxacin, or troleandomycin
• Certain antidepressants, called tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, imipramine, or nortriptyline
• Certain medications for irregular heartbeat, such as disopyramide, encainide, moricizine, procainamide, propafenone, and quinidine
• Delavirdine
• Droperidol
• Haloperidol
• Hawthorn
• Imatinib
• Levomethadyl
• Maprotiline
• Medications for malaria, such as chloroquine and halofantrine
• Pentamidine
• Phenothiazines, such as chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
• Pimozide
• Quinine
• Ranolazine
• Ritonavir
• Sertindole

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Cimetidine
• Dofetilide
• Medications for angina or blood pressure
• Medications for irregular heartbeat, such as amiodarone and digoxin
• Ziprasidone

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Because your condition and the use of this medication carries some risk, it is a good idea to carry an identification card, necklace, or bracelet with details of your condition, medications, and care team.

Check your blood pressure and pulse rate as directed. Know what your blood pressure and pulse rate should be and when tod contact your care team. Your care team may schedule regular blood tests and electrocardiograms to check your progress.

This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Heart failure—shortness of breath, swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands, sudden weight gain, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing
• Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Blurry vision
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Nausea
• Tremors or shaking

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.