Flecainide

Chemical Pathology

Flecainide is a Class 1C potent anti-arrhythmic drug which is used in the treatment of serious supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. This drug acts by blocking fast sodium channels.
Flecainide is only used occasionally, and only in the hospital setting. Patients need to be carefully selected avoiding contraindications. In particular flecainide should be avoided if any history of MI, heart failure or structural heart disease.
For patients on flecainide, therapeutic monitoring can be helpful especially in patients with liver or kidney disease as elimination of the drug may be impaired.

For adults, 5 ml of blood taken into a 5mL gold top tube (rust top for the Acute Unit)

For children, 1 ml of blood taken into a 1mL red top serum tube

Send to the laboratory on the day of collection at ambient temperature.

Relevant clinical details including date and time of last dose and date and time blood sample collected.

Samples are sent for analysis to a referral laboratory, with results expected back within 1 week.

Appropriate therapeutic ranges are supplied by the reporting laboratory.

Please refer to the BNF for further information on this medication

Page last updated 07/02/2019