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Flecainide: A New Prototype Antiarrhythmic Agent
Author(s) -
Nappi Jean M.,
Anderson Jeffrey L.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1002/j.1875-9114.1985.tb03419.x
Subject(s) - flecainide , computer science , medicine , atrial fibrillation
Flecainide acetate is the first class IC antiarrhythmic agent marketed in the United States. In vitro, animal and human studies have shown that the drug markedly prolongs conduction and has minimal effect on repolarization. Efficacy trials have shown flecainide to be effective in a wide range of ventricular and selected atrial arrhythmias. The drug is generally well tolerated, although minor adverse effects are common. These generally are related to the central nervous system and respond to a reduction in dosage. Like other antiarrhythmic agents, flecainide may demonstrate proarrhythmic effects. It is excreted in the urine as the parent compound and inactive metabolites. The elimination half‐life ranges from 12–27 hours in patients with normal renal function, allowing convenient dosing regimens of 100–200 mg twice daily in most patients. Flecainide has the potential for widespread use.