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Rythmol, Rythmol SR, |propafenone

propafenone

Generic Name: propafenone (proe PAH feh known)
Brand Names: Rythmol, Rythmol SR

What is propafenone?

Propafenone is an antiarrhythmic. Propafenone affects heart beat rhythm.

Propafenone is used to treat irregular heartbeats.

Propafenone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about propafenone?

In some cases, propafenone has been associated with the development of new or worsening irregular heartbeats. Discuss the benefits and risks of this medication with your doctor.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience difficulty breathing, chest pain, chest discomfort, worsening irregular heartbeats, blurred or irregular vision, a fever, a sore throat, an infection, or unusual bruising or bleeding. These may be early signs of serious side effects.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking propafenone?

In some cases, propafenone has been associated with the development of new or worsening irregular heartbeats. Discuss the benefits and risks of this medication with your doctor.

Before taking propafenone, tell your doctor if you have

• any other heart disease, heart problems, or a pacemaker;

• asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or any other breathing disorder;

• liver disease;
• kidney disease; or

• myasthenia gravis.

You may not be able to take propafenone, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment, if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Contact your healthcare provider during treatment with propafenone if you experience excessive or prolonged diarrhea, vomiting, sweating, or loss of appetite or thirst. These conditions may cause dehydration and/or a change in electrolyte balance in the body, and treatment with propafenone may need to be evaluated.

How should I take propafenone?

Take propafenone exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Contact your healthcare provider during treatment with propafenone if you experience excessive or prolonged diarrhea, vomiting, sweating, or loss of appetite or thirst. These conditions may cause dehydration and/or a change in electrolyte balance in the body, and treatment with propafenone may need to be evaluated.

What happens if I miss a dose?

It is important to not miss doses of this medication. If you do miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication. A double dose could be dangerous.

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of a propafenone overdose include tiredness, dizziness, fainting, confusion, slow heart beats, seizures, and a worsening irregular heartbeat.

What should I avoid while taking propafenone?

Propafenone side effects

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience difficulty breathing, chest pain, chest discomfort, worsening irregular heartbeats, blurred or irregular vision, a fever, a sore throat, an infection, or unusual bruising or bleeding. These may be early signs of serious side effects.

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• new or worsening irregular heartbeats;

• chest pain or chest discomfort;

• shortness of breath;

• swelling of the legs or ankles;

• unusual bruising or bleeding; or

• fever, sore throat, sore mouth, mouth ulcers, or an infection.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take propafenone and talk to your doctor if you experience

• dizziness or tiredness;

• upset stomach, vomiting, decreased appetite, or constipation;

• headache or blurred vision; or

• changes in taste.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect propafenone?

Before taking propafenone, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• a beta-blocker such as acebutolol (Sectral), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), propranolol (Inderal), atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), betaxolol (Kerlone), carteolol (Cartrol), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), nadolol (Corgard), or pindolol (Visken);

• a barbiturate such as phenobarbital (Solfoton, Luminal), mephobarbital (Mebaral), pentobarbital (Nembutal), or secobarbital (Seconal);

• a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others;

• a local anesthetic (used to cause numbness before procedures such as surgery or dental work);

• an HIV protease inhibitor such as ritonavir (Norvir), nelfinavir (Viracept), indinavir (Crixivan), and others;

• digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);

• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral);

• rifampin (Rimactane, Rifadin);

• cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB);

• quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex);

• warfarin (Coumadin);

• theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, Elixophyllin, Slo-Phyllin, others);

• sparfloxacin (Zagam); or

• tolterodine (Detrol, Detrol LA).

You may not be able to take propafenone, or you may require a dosage adjustment special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with propafenone. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has more information about propafenone written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Propafenone is available with a prescription under the brand names Rythmol and Rythmol SR. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Rythmol 150 mg--white, round, film-coated, scored tablets

• Rythmol 225 mg--white, round, film-coated, scored tablets

• Rythmol 300 mg--white, round, film-coated, scored tablets

• Rythmol SR 225 mg-white, opaque, hard gelatin capsules tablets

• Rythmol SR 325 mg-white, opaque, hard gelatin capsules tablets

• Rythmol SR 425 mg-white, opaque, hard gelatin capsules tablets

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.