flecainide acetate /flekā″nīd/ , an oral antiarrhythmic drug. Also called flecainide. ▪ INDICATIONS: It is prescribed for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias (e.g., sustained ventricular tachycardia) and for treating supraventricular tachycardia in the absence of conduction defects when other drugs have failed. ▪ CONTRAINDICATIONS: Preexisting second- or third-degree atrioventricular block, right bundle-branch block associated with a left hemiblock in the absence of a pacemaker, cardiogenic shock, and coronary artery disease prohibit its use. Concurrent therapy with disopyramide and verapamil is not recommended, and there is insufficient experience with concurrent use with nifedipine or diltiazem to recommend concurrent use. Should not be administered with other drugs that are highly dependent on CYP3A or CYP2D6 for metabolism such as ritonavir and amprenavir. ▪ ADVERSE EFFECTS: Among adverse effects reported are new or increased arrhythmias or congestive heart failure, dizziness, visual disturbances, dyspnea, headache, nausea, fatigue, tremor, constipation, and edema.
