MORICIZINE

Brand & Generic Names

Ethmozine

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Antiarrhythmic

Uses

Treats severe heartbeat irregularities, primarily life-threatening ventricular tachycardia.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablets: As directed, by mouth with water.

When to take:
When directed. The first dose of this medicine is usually given in an emergency room or in the hospital under continuous monitoring.

If you forget a dose:
Report to your doctor right away.

What drug does:
Affects the electrical conduction system inside the heart.

Time lapse before drug works:
Promptly, but may require up to 2 hours for full effect.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Fainting, chest pain, vomiting, lethargy, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial O (operator) or 911 (emergency) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See Emergency Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section, above.

Common:

Dizziness.

Infrequent:

Chest pain; blurred vision; diarrhea; dry mouth; headache; numbness and tingling in arms, legs; nausea; abdominal pain.

Rare:

Sudden high fever.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You have pre-existing heart block.
• You have right bundle branch block.
• You are allergic to moricizine.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you take any other prescription or non-prescription medicine.
• If you have liver or kidney disease.

Over age 60:
No age-related adverse effects expected.

Pregnancy:
Adequate human studies not yet done. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
Drug may pass into milk. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
No special problems expected.

Prolonged use:
No special problems expected.

Skin & sunlight:
No special problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes.

Discontinuing:
No special problems expected.

Others:
The first dose of this medication is usually given while the patient is being closely monitored in an intensive care setting with cardiac monitoring or in an emergency room.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME OR	COMBINED EFFECT
-------------------------	-----------------------
Antiarrhythmics*,	Possible increased effects of
other	both drugs.
Cimetidine	Increased concentration of
	cimetidine in the blood.
Theophylline	Decreased effect of theophylline.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Avoid.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	Increased irregular heartbeat.
	Avoid.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	Possible increased
	irregular heartbeat.
	Avoid.
Tobacco:	Possible increased
	irregular heartbeat.
	Avoid.