Pill in the pocket

After a recent long episode of AF terminated by electrical cardioversion, I was wondering about the prospect of asking my doctor to prescribed 'flecainide' which I could take in the event of a repeat episode to try to terminate AF early rather than go to hospital.

Only problem I have is that certain anti arrithymic drugs (Digoxin, Sotalol) actually bring on AF.

Any views?

2 Comments

wouldnt work

by sam78 - 2010-07-08 06:07:36

Flecainide is a medication that takes several days to build up in the system and if you have any sort of reduced function of the heart then it should be started in the hospital as it can cause more arrythmias and heart failure. Also flecainide is an anti arrhythmic drug such as sotalol. There is not a medication that you can take immediately to bring you out of AF, as the medications are designed to prevent it from coming on. There are medications that they can use in the hospital in the IV form.

Does work!

by Dave Bishopstone - 2011-05-14 06:05:21

Agreed Flecainide must first be tried in hospital A&E or ward, mine was in A&E and was successful in reverting me to sinus rhythm (taken IV @ 150mg). Further tests on heart structure viz: echocardiogram - then permitted to go on 'pill in the pocket' regime, taking a single dose of 150mg Flecainide orally at onset of AF. In each of six subsequent episodes it has reverted me to sinus rhythm within 4 - 6 hours.

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