Propafenone

Propafenone is used to treat arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and to maintain a normal heart rate. Propafenone is in a class of medications called antiarrhythmics. It works by acting on the heart muscle to improve the heart's rhythm.

Propafenone comes as a tablet and an extended-release (long-acting) capsule to take by mouth. The tablet is usually taken three times a day, once every 8 hours. The extended-release capsule is usually taken two times a day, once every 12 hours, with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take propafenone exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Swallow the capsules whole; do not crush or open the capsules or divide the contents of a capsule into more than one dose. You may begin taking propafenone in a hospital so that your doctor can monitor you carefully as your body gets used to the medication. Your doctor may start you on a low dose of propafenone and gradually increase your dose, not more often than once every 5 days. Propafenone may control your irregular heartbeat, but will not cure it. Continue to take propafenone even if you feel well. Do not stop taking propafenone without talking to your doctor. Your heartbeat may become irregular if you suddenly stop taking propafenone.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Propafenone may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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dizziness</li>
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dry mouth</li>
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headache</li>
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nausea</li>
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vomiting</li>
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diarrhea</li>
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constipation</li>
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loss of appetite</li>
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unusual taste in the mouth</li>
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gas</li>
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tiredness</li>
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anxiety</li>
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blurred vision</li>
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uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body</li>
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difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep</li>
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difficulty with coordination</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

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difficulty breathing</li>
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wheezing</li>
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chest pain</li>
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new or worsening irregular heartbeat</li>
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slow, fast, or pounding heartbeat</li>
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swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs</li>
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sudden, unexplained weight gain</li>
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fainting</li>
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skin rash</li>
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unexplained fever, chills, weakness, or sore throat</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking propafenone, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to propafenone, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in propafenone tablets or extended-release capsules. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); certain antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac), and erythromycin (E.E.S., others);antihistamines; beta-blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol (Cartrol), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), sotalol (Betapace), and timolol (Blocadren); certain antidepressants such as desipramine (Norpramin) and imipramine (Tofranil);cimetidine (Tagamet); cisapride (Propulsid) (not available in the U.S.); digoxin (Lanoxin); haloperidol (Haldol); ketoconazole (Nizoral); lidocaine; medications for irregular heartbeat such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), bepredil (not available in the U.S.), dofetilide (Tikosyn), disopyramide (Norpace), ibutilide (Corvert), procainamide, and quinidine (Quinaglute, others). medications for mental illness and nausea; orlistat (Alli, Xenical); ritonavir (Norvir);rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); saquinavir (Invirase); selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, in Symbyax), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) and sertraline (Zoloft); and venlafaxine (Effexor). tell your doctor if you have excessive diarrhea, sweating, vomiting, loss of appetite, or decreased thirst and if you have or have ever had a slow heartbeat; low blood pressure; low or high levels of sodium, potassium, chloride, or bicarbonate in your blood; heart failure; or asthma or any other condition that causes your airways to become narrow. Your doctor may tell you not to take propafenone. in addition to the conditions listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a pacemaker; myasthenia gravis (a disorder of the nervous system that causes muscle weakness),or liver or kidney disease, if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking propafenone. you should know that this medication may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how it affects you. tell your doctor if you use tobacco products. Cigarette smoking may decrease the effectiveness of this medication.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911. Symptoms of overdose may include:

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tiredness</li>
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slow or irregular heartbeat</li>
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seizures</li></ul>