Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Can Ciprofloxacin Usage Together With Flecainide Cause Irregular Heart Beats?
Question: I am 50 and recently diagnoses with A-Fib. Went thru alot of tests and it is being managed through medications Flecainide and Metoprolol ER. i am also taking Xeralto for blood thinning. I have had only a couple episodes and the Flecainide appears to be working with me having no side effects. I take 100mg 2x's a day. I recently developed a slight prostate infection and my internist prescribed Cipro500mg 2x's a day. My cardiologist as a result asked that I reduce down the Flecainide to 50mg 2x's per day while I am on the Cipro. My concern is there an issue with drug interations? Why is the cardiologist reducing the flecainide? Is there some other medication I can take that does not cause possible interaction. My course is 30 days on Cipro for the prostate problem. I have taken Cipro before and never had any issues. However, I am only a month on Flecainide and just wnt to make sure there are not issues.
Brief Answer:
Risk of irregular rhythm
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about all the worries on your mind concerning a possible interaction between your drugs. It is true and using ciprofloxacin together with flecainide can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, shortness of breath, or fast or pounding heartbeats during treatment with these medications.
Was a urine culture done? If it was done, then your doctor can look through the list of possible antibiotics and make another choice for you. He may also want to try another drug but ciprofloxacine is a very good drug for prostate infections and I totally understand why it was easy for him to make this choice. Did he know you were on flecainide?
In all, possible serious interactions. Talk to the prescribing doctor if he would consider a change or has strong reasons to maintain the choose.
I wish you well. I hope this helps. Thank you so much for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarification if need be.
Risk of irregular rhythm
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about all the worries on your mind concerning a possible interaction between your drugs. It is true and using ciprofloxacin together with flecainide can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, shortness of breath, or fast or pounding heartbeats during treatment with these medications.
Was a urine culture done? If it was done, then your doctor can look through the list of possible antibiotics and make another choice for you. He may also want to try another drug but ciprofloxacine is a very good drug for prostate infections and I totally understand why it was easy for him to make this choice. Did he know you were on flecainide?
In all, possible serious interactions. Talk to the prescribing doctor if he would consider a change or has strong reasons to maintain the choose.
I wish you well. I hope this helps. Thank you so much for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarification if need be.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
