Flecainide is a Class IC anti-arrhythmic that is used in certain situations to prevent serious heart rhythm disorders.

Flecainide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use flecainide if you have a serious heart condition such as bundle branch block or AV block (without a pacemaker), or if your heart cannot pump blood properly.

You may receive your first dose in a hospital or clinic setting to quickly treat any serious side effects.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may receive your first few doses in a hospital or clinic setting to quickly treat any serious side effects.

Your heart rate will be monitored using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG). This will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with flecainide.

You may also need frequent blood tests to check your liver or kidney function.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Usual Adult Dose for Ventricular Tachycardia:

Initial dose: 100 mg orally every 12 hours.
Maintenance dose: May be increased in increments of 50 mg bid every 4 days until efficacy is achieved. Most patients with SUSTAINED VT do not require more than 150 mg every 12 hours (300 mg/day), and the maximum dose recommended is 400 mg/day.

Usual Adult Dose for Atrial Fibrillation:

Initial dose: 50 mg orally every 12 hours.
Maintenance dose: May be increased in increments of 50 mg bid every 4 days until efficacy is achieved.

Usual Adult Dose for Atrial Flutter:

Initial dose: 50 mg orally every 12 hours.
Maintenance dose: May be increased in increments of 50 mg bid every 4 days until efficacy is achieved.

Usual Adult Dose for Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome:

Initial dose: 50 mg orally every 12 hours.
Maintenance dose: May be increased in increments of 50 mg bid every 4 days until efficacy is achieved.

Usual Adult Dose for Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia:

Initial dose: 50 mg orally every 12 hours.
Maintenance dose: May be increased in increments of 50 mg bid every 4 days until efficacy is achieved.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Supraventricular Tachycardia:

less than 1 month:
Supraventricular tachycardia: Limited data available: Initial: 2 mg/kg/day orally divided every 12 hours; titrate to clinical response, monitor serum concentration; mean dose required to suppress SVT: 3.35 ± 1.35 mg/kg/day in 17 neonates (n=20 treated neonates; mean PNA: 11.5 days; mean GA: 36.8 weeks; mean birthweight: 2.8 kg); study did not report resultant serum concentrations.

1 month or older:
Initial: 1 to 3 mg/kg/day orally or 50 to 100 mg/m2/day orally in 3 divided doses; usual: 3 to 6 mg/kg/day or 100 to 150 mg/m2/day in 3 divided doses; up to 8 mg/kg/day or 200 mg/m2/day for uncontrolled patients with subtherapeutic levels; higher doses have been reported, however they may be associated with an increased risk of proarrhythmias; a review of world literature reports the average effective dose to be 4 mg/kg/day or 140 mg/m2/day.

You should not use flecainide if you are allergic to it, or if:

• you have a serious heart condition such as bundle branch block or AV block (unless you have a pacemaker); or

• your heart cannot pump blood properly.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a heart attack;

• chronic atrial fibrillation, or "AFib";

• congestive heart failure;

• a heart condition called "sick sinus syndrome";

• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood); or

• liver disease.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, slow heart rate, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Flecainide may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• fast or pounding heartbeats;

• fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out);

• slow heart rate, weak pulse, slow breathing (breathing may stop);

• feeling short of breath;

• swelling, rapid weight gain;

• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

• fever, flu-like symptoms; or

• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of flecainide may include:

• dizziness;

• vision problems;

• trouble breathing;

• headache;

• nausea; or

• feeling weak or tired.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• digoxin;

• a diuretic or "water pill";

• a beta-blocker (atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol, sotalol, and others);

• other heart medications such as amiodarone, diltiazem, disopyramide, nifedipine, quinidine, or verapamil; or

• seizure medication.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect flecainide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to flecainide.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.