Flecainide Acetate and Obesity

• Generic Name: flecainide
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Tambocor

Suppression and prevention of recurrent ventricular arrhythmias (e.g., sustained VT) that, in the clinician’s judgment, are considered life-threatening. (See Boxed Warning.)

Because of arrhythmogenic potential and associated risk of death, use of flecainide for less severe arrhythmias (e.g., PVCs) not recommended.

No evidence that use is associated with beneficial effect on mortality or sudden death.

Prevention of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), including AV nodal reentrant tachycardia and AV reentrant tachycardia (e.g., Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome); other symptomatic, disabling, supraventricular tachycardias of unspecified mechanisms; and symptomatic, disabling paroxysmal atrial fibrillation/flutter (PAF) in patients without structural heart disease.

One of several drugs that may be used for ongoing management of PSVT in patients without structural or ischemic heart disease; however, because of adverse effects, use generally reserved for patients in whom other therapies (e.g., catheter ablation, β-adrenergic blocking agents, diltiazem, verapamil) are ineffective or contraindicated.

Considered a drug of choice for pharmacologic cardioversion of atrial fibrillation or flutter.

May be used for ongoing management of other supraventricular tachycardias (e.g., focal atrial tachycardia, junctional tachycardia).

Because of risk of proarrhythmia, do not use in patients with structural heart disease or ischemic heart disease.