FLECAINIDE ACETATE

Brand & Generic Names

Tambocor

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Antiarrhythmic

Uses

Stabilizes irregular heartbeat.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
At the same time each day, according to instructions on prescription label. Take tablets approximately 12 hours apart.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 4 hours late. If more than 4 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Decreases conduction of abnormal electrical activity in the heart muscle or its regulating systems.

Time lapse before drug works:
1 to 6 hours. May need doses daily for 2 to 3 days for maximum effect.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Low blood pressure or unconsciousness, irregular or rapid heartbeat, sleepiness, tremor, sweating.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• If patient is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to- mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make patient vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take patient to nearest emergency facility.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

Blurred vision, dizziness.

Infrequent:

• Chest pain, irregular heartbeat.
• Shakiness, rash, nausea, vomiting.
• Anxiety; depression; weakness; headache; appetite loss; weakness in muscles, bones, joints; swollen feet, ankles or legs; loss of taste; numbness or tingling in hands or feet, abdominal pain.
• Constipation.

Rare:

• Shortness of breath.
• Sore throat, jaundice, fever.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to flecainide or a local anesthetic such as novocaine, xylocaine or other drug whose generic name ends with "caine."

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have kidney disease.
• If you have liver disease.
• If you have had a heart attack in the past 3 weeks.
• If you have a pacemaker.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Studies inconclusive on harm to unborn child. Animal studies show fetal abnormalities. Decide with your doctor whether drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.

Breast-feeding:
No proven problems. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Not recommended. Safety and dosage have not been established.

Prolonged use:
Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check complete blood counts (white blood cell count, platelet count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit), ECG*.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.

Others:
Wear identification bracelet or carry an identification card with inscription of medicine you take.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Antacids*	Possible increased
(high dose)	flecainide acetate effect.
Antiarrhythmics,	Possible irregular
other*	heartbeat.
Beta-adrenergic	Possible decreased
blockers*	efficiency of heart-muscle
	contraction, leading to congestive
	heart failure.
Bone marrow	Possible decreased
depressants*	production of blood cells in bone
	marrow.
Carbonic anhydrase	Possible increased
inhibitors*	flecainide acetate effect.
Cimetidine	Increased effect of cimetidine.
Digitalis	Possible increased
preparations*	digitalis effect. Possible
	irregular heartbeat.
Disopyramide	Possible decreased efficiency of
	heart muscle contraction, leading
	to congestive heart failure.
Encainide	Increased effect of toxicity on the
	heart muscle.
Nicardipine	Possible increased effect and
	toxicity of each drug.
Paroxetine	Increased effect of both drugs.
Propafenone	Increased effect of both drugs and
	increased risk of toxicity.
Sodium bicarbonate	Possible increased flecainide
	acetate effect.
Verapamil	Possible decreased efficiency of
	heart-muscle contraction, leading
	to congestive heart failure.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	May further depress normal heart
	function.
Caffeine-containing	Possible decreased
beverages.	flecainide effect.
Cocaine:	Possible decreased flecainide
	effect.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	Possible decreased flecainide
	effect.
Tobacco:	Possible decreased flecainide
	effect.