Flecainide
Sounds like 'flek-ah-nide'
Key points about flecainide
- Flecainide is used to treat irregular heartbeat (also called arrhythmia).
- Flecainide is also called Tambocor CR® and Flecatab®.
- Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects.

Flecainide is used to treat irregular heartbeat (also called arrhythmia). An irregularity in your heartbeat can cause your heart to skip a beat, beat unevenly or beat very fast or very slowly. Arrhythmias can put you at risk of a heart attack or stroke.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, flecainide is available as:
- immediate–release tablets (50 mg and 100 mg)
- slow–release capsules (100 mg and 200 mg)
- oral liquid (20 mg in 1 ml and 25 mg in 5 ml)
- an injection that's used in hospitals.
- The dose of flecainide will be different for different people.
- Your doctor will usually start you on a low dose and increase it slowly over a few days.
- Always take your flecainide exactly as your doctor has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much to take, how often to take it, and any special instructions.
- Read about what to do if you think a child or someone else has taken a medicine that's not for them.
Flecainide is available as immediate–release tablets and slow–release capsules. Check with your pharmacist which kind you are taking.
Formulation | How to take it |
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- Food: You can take flecainide with or without food.
- Missed dose: If you forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it's nearly time for your next dose, just take the next dose at the right time. Don't take double the dose.
Here are some things to know when you're taking flecainide. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.
- Other medicines: flecainide interacts with some medicines, herbal supplements and Rongoā Māori, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting flecainide and before starting any new products.
- Driving: Be careful when driving or using tools until you know how this medicine affects you.
- Keep taking flecainide regularly: Don’t stop taking flecainide suddenly – this can make your condition worse.
- Check what they look like: If your tablets or capsules look different to your last supply, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
- Let healthcare providers know you're taking it: Tell any other healthcare providers including dentists who are treating you that you are taking flecainide.
- Surgery: If you're going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking this medicine. It may affect other medicines used during surgery.
- Smoking: Smoking can change the effect of flecainide. Tell your doctor if you give up, cut down or start smoking.
- Pregnant: If you become pregnant while taking or being given this medicine, tell your doctor immediately
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding: talk to your doctor if you're planning to become pregnant or breastfeed.
Like all medicines, flecainide can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine.
Side effects | What should I do? |
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Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect.
The following links have more information on flecainide.
Flecainide(external link) New Zealand Formulary Patient Information
Tambocor(external link) Medsafe Consumer Medicine Information, NZ
References
- Flecainide(external link) New Zealand Formulary
- Flecainide(external link) Medsafe Data sheet, NZ
Brochures
Medicines and side effects
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ, 2024
Health Quality and Safety Commission, NZ, 2019 English, te reo Māori
Credits: Healthify editorial team. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.
Reviewed by: Stephanie Yee, Pharmacist, Auckland
Last reviewed: