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|Procainamide

Procainamide

Procainamide is used for:

Treating certain abnormal heart rhythms.

Procainamide is an antiarrhythmic. It works by stabilizing the heart rhythm in conditions in which the heart is beating too fast or in an irregular rhythm (antiarrhythmic effect).

Do NOT use Procainamide if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Procainamide
• you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, difficulty breathing, dizziness) to a local anesthetic (eg, procaine)
• you have complete heart block, lupus, or certain severe abnormal heart rhythms (eg, torsades de pointes)
• you are taking astemizole, cisapride, dofetilide, a phenothiazine (eg, chlorpromazine), a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (eg, sildenafil), terfenadine, or ziprasidone

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Procainamide :

Some medical conditions may interact with Procainamide . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of liver or kidney disease; congestive heart failure, heart block, QT prolongation, or other heart problems; bone marrow problems; blood problems (eg, low blood platelet or white blood cell levels); myasthenia gravis; or digitalis (digoxin) toxicity

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Procainamide . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, quinidine), anticholinergics (eg, hyoscyamine), arsenic, astemizole, cisapride, dofetilide, droperidol, H₂ antagonists (eg, cimetidine), ketolide antibiotics (eg, telithromycin), macrolide antibiotics (eg, erythromycin), phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (eg, sildenafil), pimozide, quinolone antibiotics (eg, ciprofloxacin), serotonin receptor antagonists (eg, dolasetron), terfenadine), trimethoprim, or ziprasidone because the risk of side effects, including irregular heartbeat, may be increased
• Neuromuscular blockers (eg, succinylcholine) because actions or side effects may be increased by Procainamide

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Procainamide may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Procainamide :

Use Procainamide as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Procainamide is usually administered as an injection at your doctor"s office, hospital, or clinic. If you are using Procainamide at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider.
• If Procainamide contains particles or is discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.
• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and away from pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain local regulations for proper disposal.
• Take Procainamide regularly to receive the most benefit from it.
• Continue to use Procainamide even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Procainamide , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for our next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Procainamide .

Important safety information:

• Procainamide may cause dizziness or blurred vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Procainamide .
• Drinking alcohol may decrease the effectiveness of Procainamide . Check with your doctor before drinking alcohol.
• Do not exceed the recommended dose or use Procainamide for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
• Do not suddenly stop taking Procainamide without checking with your doctor.
• Procainamide may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. To prevent bleeding, avoid situations in which bruising or injury may occur. Report any unusual bleeding, bruising, blood in stools, or dark, tarry stools to your doctor.
• Procainamide may lower your body"s ability to fight infection. Prevent infection by avoiding contact with people with colds or other infections. Notify your doctor of any signs of infection, including fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
• Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Procainamide .
• Procainamide may interfere with certain lab tests. Make sure your doctor and laboratory personnel know you are using Procainamide .
• Some of these products contain sulfites, which can cause allergic reactions in certain individuals (eg, asthma patients). If you have previously had allergic reactions to sulfites, contact your pharmacist to determine if the product you are taking contains sulfites.
• LAB TESTS, including heart function tests, complete blood cell counts, and serum ANA titers, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Procainamide with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Use Procainamide with extreme caution in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Procainamide during pregnancy. Procainamide is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while you are taking Procainamide .

Possible side effects of Procainamide :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); butterfly-shaped rash on the face; chest pain; dark urine; depression; diarrhea; dizziness or lightheadedness; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; hallucinations; loss of appetite; mood or mental changes; mouth sores or irritation; muscle pain or weakness; nausea; pale stools; seizures; stomach pain; severe or persistent tiredness; shortness of breath; swollen or tender joints; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; vomiting; wheezing; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include dizziness; fast or irregular heartbeat; irregular or difficult breathing; severe drowsiness; tremor.

Procainamide is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Procainamide at home, store Procainamide as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Procainamide out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Procainamide , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Procainamide is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Procainamide . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.