PROCAINAMIDE |
|
PROCAINAMIDE
BRAND & GENERIC NAMES
Procan
Procan SR
Procamide
Procapan
Promine
Pronestyl
Pronestyl SR
Rhythmin
Sub-Quin
BASIC INFORMATION
Habit forming? No
Prescription needed? Yes
Available as generic? Yes
Drug class: Antiarrhythmic
USES
Stabilizes irregular heartbeat.
DOSAGE & USAGE INFORMATION
How to take:
Tablet or capsule--Swallow with liquid.
Extended-release tablets--Swallow each dose whole. Do not crush
them.
When to take:
Best taken on empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after
meals. If necessary, may be taken with food or milk to lessen
stomach upset.
If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2
hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).
What drug does:
Slows activity of pacemaker (rhythm-control center of heart) and
delays transmission of electrical impulses.
Time lapse before drug works:
30 to 60 minutes.
Don't take with:
Any other medicines, even over-the-counter drugs such as cough
and cold medicines, nose drops, diet pills, laxatives or
caffeine, without consulting your doctor.
OVERDOSE
SYMPTOMS:
Fast and irregular heartbeat, confusion, stupor, decreased blood
pressure, fainting, cardiac arrest.
WHAT TO DO:
Dial 0 (operator) or 911 (emergency) for an ambulance or
medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
See EMERGENCY INFORMATION.
POSSIBLE ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
SYMPTOMS WHAT TO DO
Life-threatening:
Hives, rash, intense Seek emergency
itching, faintness treatment immediately.
soon after a dose
(anaphylaxis).
Common:
Diarrhea, appetite Continue. Call doctor
loss, nausea, vomiting, when convenient.
bitter taste.
Infrequent:
Joint pain, painful Discontinue. Call
breathing. doctor right away.
Dizziness. Continue. Call doctor when
convenient.
Rare:
Hallucinations, Discontinue. Call
depression, confusion, doctor right away.
psychosis, itchy skin,
rash, sore throat,
fever, jaundice,
convulsions.
Headache, fatigue. Continue. Call doctor when
convenient.
WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if:
You are allergic to procainamide.
You have myasthenia gravis.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you are allergic to local anesthetics that end in "caine."
If you have had liver or kidney disease or impaired kidney
function.
If you have had lupus.
If you take digitalis preparations.
If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental
surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.
Pregnancy:
No proven harm to unborn child. Avoid if possible.
Infants & children:
Don't give to infants or young children unless prescribed and
monitored by your physician.
Prolonged use:
May cause lupus-like illness.
Skin & sunlight:
No age-related problems expected.
Driving or hazardous activities:
Use caution if you feel dizzy or weak. Otherwise, no problems
expected.
Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete
prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.
Others:
Some products contain tartrazine dye. Avoid, especially if you
are allergic to aspirin.
POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER DRUGS
|
|
|
| Acetazolamide |
Increased procainamide effect. |
| Ambenonium |
Decreased ambenonium effect. |
| Aminoglycosides |
Possible severe muscle |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
weakness, impaired breathing. |
| Antiarrhythmics |
Increased likelihood of |
| (other, see Drugs |
adverse reactions with |
| Glossary) |
either drug. Possible increased |
| |
effect of both drugs. |
| Anticholinergics |
Increased |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
anticholinergic effect. |
| Antihypertensives |
Increased antihypertensive |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
effect. |
| Antimyasthenics |
Decreased |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
antimyasthenic effect. |
| Cimetidine |
Increased procainamide effect. |
| Encainide |
Increased effect of toxicity on |
| |
heart muscle. |
| Guanfacine |
Increased effect of both medicines. |
| Kanamycin |
Possible severe muscle weakness, |
| |
impaired breathing. |
| Neomycin |
Possible severe muscle weakness, |
| |
impaired breathing. |
POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
| Marijuana: |
None expected. |
| Tobacco: |
Decreased procainamide effect. |
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