See also Warning and How to Use sections.
Before taking Tambocor (flecainide), tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
Tambocor (flecainide) should generally not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: certain heartbeat problems (second- or third-degree atrioventricular block or right bundle branch block with left hemiblock unless you have a heart pacemaker), persistent atrial fibrillation/flutter, shock due to the heart not pumping well (e.g., very low blood pressure and loss of consciousness), recent heart attack (within the last 2 years).
Before using Tambocor (flecainide), tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney problems, liver problems, angina (chest pain), heart failure, certain irregular heartbeats (sick sinus syndrome, torsade de pointes), a certain heart problem (QT prolongation in the EKG), abnormal blood minerals (high or low potassium), a heart pacemaker, conditions that may make the urine more alkaline (e.g., strict vegetarian diet, renal tubular acidosis).
Contact your doctor immediately if you develop other illnesses/conditions such as prolonged or large quantities of diarrhea, excessive sweating, vomiting, prolonged loss of appetite or desire to drink water. These conditions could cause you to have serious changes in blood minerals leading to increased side effects from Tambocor (flecainide).
Tambocor (flecainide) may make you dizzy or drowsy. Use caution while driving, using machinery, or doing any activity that requires alertness. Limit alcoholic beverages.
Caution is advised when using Tambocor (flecainide) in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially dizziness.
During pregnancy, Tambocor (flecainide) should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Tambocor (flecainide) passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Tambocor (flecainide) may be started at a low dose in the hospital so that your doctor can determine the best dose, increase it gradually as needed, and monitor you closely for side effects.
Take Tambocor (flecainide) by mouth with or without food, usually twice daily or as directed by your doctor. If your abnormal heartbeat is not easily controlled, your doctor may prescribe Tambocor (flecainide) 3 times daily.
Milk may partly block the absorption of Tambocor (flecainide) into the bloodstream of infants. Contact your infants doctor if you plan to add or remove milk from the diet.
Dosage of Tambocor (flecainide) is based on your age, kidney and liver function, medical condition, other medications you may be taking, and response to therapy.
Tambocor (flecainide) works best when the amount of drug in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take Tambocor (flecainide) at evenly spaced intervals. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.
Take Tambocor (flecainide) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more or less of Tambocor (flecainide) than prescribed or stop taking it (or other heart medicines) even for a short time unless directed to do so by your doctor. Skipping or changing your dose without approval from your doctor may cause your abnormal heartbeat to return. Do not run out of Tambocor (flecainide). Order your refills several days early to avoid running out of pills.
Contact your doctor immediately and seek emergency medical attention (e.g., call 911, have someone else drive you to a hospital emergency room) if your condition persists or worsens.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
See also Warning section.
Dizziness, vision problems (e.g., blurring, spots, problems focusing, double vision), shortness of breath, headache, nausea, tiredness, and weakness may occur. Less common side effects may include shakiness of hands/arms, constipation, stomach pain, heartburn, mild difficulty speaking, drowsiness, dry mouth. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Tambocor (flecainide) because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Tambocor (flecainide) do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: vomiting, unusual sweating, swelling, mental/mood changes (e.g., anxiety, depression, memory loss, confusion, hallucinations), numbness/tingling, problems walking (staggering), ringing in the ears, loss of appetite, sore throat, decreased sexual interest/ability, problems starting the flow of urine, worsening symptoms of heart failure (e.g., ankle/leg swelling, increased tiredness, increased shortness of breath when lying down).
Seek immediate medical attention if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: chest pain, severe dizziness, fainting, sudden change in heartbeat (unusually faster/slower/more irregular).
A very serious allergic reaction to Tambocor (flecainide) is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Click HERE to learn more about Tambocor side effects.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
If you miss a dose of Tambocor (flecainide), take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Tambocor (flecainide) should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: disopyramide, dofetilide, halofantrine, lumefantrine, pimozide, arbutamine, saquinavir, cisapride, gadoxetate, mizolastine, lopinavir/ritonavir, tipranavir.
Other drugs besides Tambocor (flecainide) and those listed above that may affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation in the EKG) include sotalol, procainamide, droperidol, ziprasidone, ranolazine, levofloxacin, and erythromycin, among others. QTc prolongation can infrequently result in a serious (rarely fatal) irregular heartbeat. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details and for instructions on how you may minimize the risk of this effect.
If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Tambocor (flecainide).
Before using Tambocor (flecainide), tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: amiodarone, cimetidine, clozapine, quinidine, digoxin, verapamil, beta blockers (e.g., propranolol, metoprolol), barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital), carbamazepine, phenytoin, drugs that make the urine more acid (e.g., large doses of vitamin C, methionine, ammonium chloride), drugs that make the urine more alkaline (e.g., sodium bicarbonate).
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.