The Basics
What is Flecainide?
Used to prevent certain types of life-threatening irregular heartbeats.
Brand names for Flecainide
Tambocor
How Flecainide is classified
Antiarrhythmics
Flecainide During Pregnancy
Flecainide pregnancy category
Category CNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.
What we know about taking Flecainide while pregnant
N/A
Taking Flecainide While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Flecainide?
Limited information indicates that maternal doses of flecainide up to 200 mg daily produce low levels in milk and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants, especially if the infant is older than 2 months. Because of the relative lack of data concerning breastfeeding during maternal flecainide therapy, exclusively breastfed infants should be carefully monitored if this drug is used during lactation, possibly including measurement of serum levels to rule out toxicity if there is a concern.
Maternal / infant drug levels
Limited information indicates that maternal doses of flecainide up to 200 mg daily produce low levels in milk and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants, especially if the infant is older than 2 months. Because of the relative lack of data concerning breastfeeding during maternal flecainide therapy, exclusively breastfed infants should be carefully monitored if this drug is used during lactation, possibly including measurement of serum levels to rule out toxicity if there is a concern.
Possible effects of Flecainide on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible alternatives to Flecainide
None listed
List of References
Lactation sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/1. Wagner X, Jouglard J, Moulin M et al. Coadministration of flecainide acetate and sotalol during pregnancy: lack of teratogenic effects, passage across the placenta, and excretion in human breast milk. Am Heart J. 1990;119:700-2. PMID: 1689933
2. McQuinn RL, Pisani A, Wafa S et al. Flecainide excretion in human breast milk. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1990;48:262-7. PMID: 2119270
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.
