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How does it work?

Flecainide acetate is a type of medicine known as a class 1c antiarrhythmic. It is used to regulate the rate and rhythm of the heart. The heart's pumping action is controlled by electrical signals that pass through the heart muscle. The electrical signals cause the two pairs of heart chambers (left and right atria and ventricles) to contract in a regular manner that produces the heartbeat. If the electrical activity in the heart is disturbed for any reason, irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) of various types can result. These can seriously undermine the pumping action of the heart and result in inefficient blood circulation around the body. Flecainide helps to treat arrhythmias by decreasing the sensitivity of the heart muscle cells to electrical impulses. This slows and regulates the electrical conduction in the heart muscle, which helps to restore disturbances in the heart rhythm. There are several different types of arrhythmia. This medicine is used to treat some, but not all of them. It may be given in the form of tablets or injection, depending on which type of arrhythmia is being treated.

What is it used for?

- Various types of irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)

Warning!

- This medicine is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
- If you have decreased kidney or liver function it is recommended that you have regular blood tests to monitor the amount of this medicine in your blood.

Use with caution in

- Abnormal electrical conduction in a chamber (atria) of the heart
- Decreased kidney function
- Decreased liver function
- Defect of the heart's electrical message pathways resulting in decreased function of the heart (heart block)
- Elderly people
- Loss of function of a natural pacemaker in the heart (sinus node dysfunction)
- People who have an artificial pacemaker
- Sudden onset of irregular heartbeats (atrial fibrillation) following heart surgery

Not to be used in

- Certain types of irregular heartbeat in people who have had a heart attack
- Heart failure
- Heart valve disease affecting the blood circulation
- Long-term irregular heartbeats (atrial fibrillation) that have not ever been treated

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

- The safety of this medicine during pregnancy has not been established. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- This medicine passes into breast milk. Seek medical advice from your doctor before using this medicine during breastfeeding.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

- Depression
- Visual disturbances
- Abnormal reaction of the skin to light, usually a rash (photosensitivity)
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
- False perceptions of things that are not really there (hallucinations)
- Pins and needles (paraesthesia)
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of memory (amnesia)
- Shaky movements and unsteady walk (ataxia)
- Allergic skin reactions
- Inflammation of the lungs (pneumonitis)
- Confusion

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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