From the Guidelines
You should not skip a dose of Tambocor (flecainide) without consulting your healthcare provider. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it's almost time for your next scheduled dose—in that case, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one. Flecainide is an antiarrhythmic medication that works by stabilizing the electrical activity in your heart, and maintaining consistent blood levels is important for its effectiveness in preventing abnormal heart rhythms, as shown in a study published in the European Heart Journal 1. Sudden discontinuation or missed doses can potentially lead to recurrence of arrhythmias or even worsening of your condition.
Some key points to consider when taking flecainide include:
- Monitoring of PR and QRS intervals is recommended, as well as consideration of monitoring flecainide plasma levels to keep trough plasma levels below 0.7–1.0 mcg/mL 1
- Flecainide should be avoided in patients with structural heart disease, including ischemic heart disease, and in patients with sinus or AV conduction disease in the absence of a pacemaker 1
- The maximum total daily maintenance dose of flecainide is 150 mg every 12 hours, and potential adverse effects include atrial flutter with 1:1 AV conduction, QT prolongation, torsades de pointes, worsening heart failure, and bradycardia 1
If you frequently miss doses, discuss this with your doctor as they may need to adjust your treatment plan. Always carry your medication with you when traveling and set reminders to help maintain your dosing schedule. It's also important to note that flecainide can interact with other medications, such as amiodarone, digoxin, and ritonavir, so be sure to inform your doctor of all medications you are taking 1.
From the Research
Skipping a Dose of Tambocor (Flecainide)
- There is no direct information in the provided studies regarding the specific consequences of skipping a dose of Tambocor (flecainide) 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, it is known that flecainide is a class IC antiarrhythmic agent used for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardias, and other arrhythmias 2, 3, 4.
- The efficacy and safety of flecainide have been demonstrated in various clinical trials and real-world use, but the importance of adherence to the prescribed dosage regimen is generally emphasized to maintain therapeutic effectiveness and minimize risks 3, 4, 6.
- Skipping a dose may potentially lead to reduced efficacy or increased risk of arrhythmic events, but this is not explicitly stated in the provided studies.
- Patients are typically advised to follow the prescribed dosage regimen and consult their healthcare provider if they miss a dose or have concerns about their medication 5.
General Guidance on Flecainide Use
- Flecainide is recommended as a first-line therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation without structural heart disease 2, 4.
- The drug has been shown to be effective in preventing ventricular tachyarrhythmias in patients with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia 6.
- However, flecainide is not recommended for patients with structural heart disease due to the risk of proarrhythmia 4.
Side Effects and Contraindications
- Common side effects of flecainide include cerebral symptoms, gastrointestinal complaints, bradyarrhythmias, heart failure, and suspected pro-arrhythmia 5.
- The decision to skip a dose or discontinue flecainide should be made under the guidance of a healthcare provider, considering the individual patient's condition and medical history 5, 6.