Tambocor

What is it?

A class I antiarrhythmic available as white tablets in 2 strengths; white, marked 3M TR50, containing 50mg of flecainide and scored, white, containing 100mg of flecainide, marked 3M TR100. Also, TAMBOCOR INJECTION, available as asolution containing 10mg of flecainide acetate per ml in ampoules.

Medical Uses

Tablets, various tachycardias and supraventricular arrhythmias, Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome. Injection, to effect rapid control of various ventricular tachyarrhythmias which have proved resistant to other treatments, Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation which is disabling.

Dosage

Adults, supraventricular arrhythmias, 50mg twice each day at first to a maximum of 300mg daily; ventricular arrhythmias, 100mg twice each day at first to a daily maximum of 400mg. Then, reduced after 3 to 5 days to lowest effective controlling dose. Injection, according to manufacturer's literature.

Special Care

Start therapy in hospital. Pregnancy, patients with pacemaker or temporary devices, acute onset of atrial fibrillation after heart surgery, weak liver or kidneys, heart disease. Electrolyte levels must be corrected before starting treatment and plasma levels of drug monitored.

Avoid Use

Children, heart failure, past myocardial infarction with ventricular arrhythmias not producing symptoms, 2nd or 3rd degree atrioventricular block, sinus node disease where no pacemaker, long-term, uncontrolled atrial fibrillation, valvular heart disease which is haemodynamically significant.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Digoxin, drugs that induce liver enzymes, other class I antiarrhythmics, amiodarone, cardiac depressants.

Known Side Effects

Nausea, dizziness, vomiting, sight disturbances, sensitivity to light, jaundice, raised liver enzymes, impaired co-ordination/staggering, numbness/tingling/'pins and needles' sensation, allergic skin effects, increase in nuclear antibodies, lowered blood counts, damage to peripheral nerves. In rare cases, nettle rash, depression, deposits in cornea, hallucinations, memory loss, confusion, pneumonitis (lung inflammation), fits, inability to perform voluntary movements.