Flecainide Acetate and Levocarnitine Oral, Intravenous

• Generic Name: flecainide
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Tambocor

Suppression and prevention of recurrent ventricular arrhythmias (e.g., sustained VT) that, in the clinician’s judgment, are considered life-threatening. (See Boxed Warning.)

Because of arrhythmogenic potential and associated risk of death, use of flecainide for less severe arrhythmias (e.g., PVCs) not recommended.

No evidence that use is associated with beneficial effect on mortality or sudden death.

Prevention of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), including AV nodal reentrant tachycardia and AV reentrant tachycardia (e.g., Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome); other symptomatic, disabling, supraventricular tachycardias of unspecified mechanisms; and symptomatic, disabling paroxysmal atrial fibrillation/flutter (PAF) in patients without structural heart disease.

One of several drugs that may be used for ongoing management of PSVT in patients without structural or ischemic heart disease; however, because of adverse effects, use generally reserved for patients in whom other therapies (e.g., catheter ablation, β-adrenergic blocking agents, diltiazem, verapamil) are ineffective or contraindicated.

Considered a drug of choice for pharmacologic cardioversion of atrial fibrillation or flutter.

May be used for ongoing management of other supraventricular tachycardias (e.g., focal atrial tachycardia, junctional tachycardia).

Because of risk of proarrhythmia, do not use in patients with structural heart disease or ischemic heart disease.

• Generic Name: levocarnitine
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Carnitor, L-Carnitine, Carnitor SF

Levocarnitine is used to prevent and treat a lack of carnitine. It is used to prevent and treat this condition in patients with kidney disease on dialysis. It is given to people whose body cannot properly use carnitine from their diet. Lack of carnitine can lead to liver, heart, and muscle problems. Your doctor may treat lack of carnitine by prescribing levocarnitine for you.

Carnitine comes in two forms. Levocarnitine (L-carnitine) should not be confused with the D,L-carnitine form (labeled as “vitamin B T”'). Only the L-form of carnitine is used by the body to treat serious carnitine deficiency. The D,L-form does not help the body use fat and can actually interfere with and cause a lack of levocarnitine.

Certain levocarnitine products have been specifically approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for medical use and are available only with your doctor's prescription.