What Is Flecatab Used For?

Flecatab contains flecainide acetate and belongs to a group of medicines called antiarrhythmics that help regulate your heartbeat.

Primary Uses

Flecatab is used to treat arrhythmia, which is an irregular or abnormal heartbeat condition.

How It Works

Flecatab works by slowing down the electrical impulses that cause your heart to beat in an irregular or abnormal way, helping to restore a normal heart rhythm.

How to Take Flecatab

Take Flecatab exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The dose varies from patient to patient based on your response to the medicine.

Dosage Instructions

The usual starting dose is 50 mg to 100 mg every twelve hours. Your doctor may adjust this dose based on how you respond. The recommended maximum dose is 300 mg a day, but it may be increased up to 400 mg a day in certain patients. Swallow the tablets with a glass of water. Flecatab can be taken with or without food. Take it at the same time each day for best results.

What If You Miss a Dose?

If you miss your dose at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Available Tablet Strengths

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

• minor and temporary dizziness
• blurred vision or double vision
• sensitivity to bright lights
• nausea
• difficulty breathing
• tiredness
• headache
• chest pain

Important Warnings

Before taking Flecatab, make sure your doctor knows about all your medical conditions and other medicines you’re taking.

Who Should Not Take Flecatab

Do not take Flecatab if you are allergic to flecainide acetate or any ingredients in the medicine, or if you have heart, liver, or kidney disease unless your doctor says it’s suitable for you. Signs of allergic reaction include shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, or skin rash.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have high or low potassium levels in your blood, problems with your heart, liver or kidney, or if you’ve had problems with Flecatab before.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Do not take Flecatab if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, as it may affect your developing baby. If you become pregnant while taking Flecatab, tell your doctor immediately. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding, as the medicine may pass into breast milk and affect your baby.

Drug Interactions

Some medicines may interfere with Flecatab and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.

• medicines for high blood pressure, angina or heart conditions (digoxin, propranolol, atenolol, labetalol, alprenolol, pindolol, metoprolol, timolol, oxprenolol, sotalol, disopyramide, verapamil, amiodarone, diltiazem, nifedipine)
• epilepsy medicines (phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital)
• cimetidine (for reflux and ulcers)
• medicines that make urine more alkaline (Ural, Citravescent)

Alcohol & Driving

Flecatab can affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Flecatab may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, faintness, or blurred vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how Flecatab affects you.

Storage

Store Flecatab tablets in a cool, dry place protected from light where the temperature stays below 30°C. Keep out of reach of children. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills.

Overdose Information

If you think you have taken too many Flecatab tablets, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you feel fine.

Frequently Asked Questions