Propafenone
Brand names
- Apo-Propafenone
- PMS-Propafenone
- Rythmol
Usage
To correct heartbeat irregularities (cardiac
arrhythmias).
How it works
Propafenone slows the conduction of nerve impulses in
the heart and reduces the
sensitivity of heart tissue to
specific nerve impulses,
which helps to stabilize heartbeat.
It also has weak beta blocking properties.
Side effects
- Serious
- Fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath,
swelling of feet or lower legs. Seek medical help
immediately. Report to your doctor any fever,
fatigue, or malaise
that occurs within the first 3 months of therapy.
- Common
- Dizziness, change in
taste, bitter or metallic taste,
constipation,
nausea, or vomiting.
- Less common
- Blurred vision,
headache,
diarrhea, skin
rash, dry mouth,
unusual fatigue.
Possible interactions
- Other medicaments:
Propafenone may increase the effects of:
- amitriptyline (Elavil, others) and perhaps other tricyclic antidepressants.
- antihypertensive medicaments and cause excessive lowering of
blood pressure.
- beta blockers.
- cyclosporine (Sandimmune), leading to toxicity.
- quinidine (Quinaglute, various).
- theophylline (Theo-Dur, others), leading to theophylline toxicity and
seizures.
- warfarin (Coumadin, others); more frequent INR tests and dose
adjustments are needed.
Propafenone taken concurrently with:
- amiodarone (Cordarone) may lead to excessive propafenone levels and
toxicity; reduced doses may be required.
- digoxin (Lanoxin, others) increases digoxin levels and can cause toxicity.
- medicaments that inhibit or are removed by CYP 2D6 (talk to your doctor) may
increase propafenone effects.
- fluoxetine (Prozac) may lead to increased propafenone blood levels and
toxicity if doses are not adjusted.
- paroxetine (Paxil) may lead to increased propafenone blood levels and
toxicity if doses are not adjusted.
- quinidine (Quinaglute) may increase propafenone levels and lead to
toxicity if doses are not adjusted.
- ritonavir (Norvir) and perhaps other protease inhibitors
may lead to propafenone toxicity.
- sertraline (Zoloft) may lead to propafenone toxicity.
The following medicaments may decrease the effects of propafenone:
- Foods:
- Ask your physician about the need for salt restriction.
- Herbal medicines or minerals:
- Kola, St. John's wort,
ma huang and
yohimbe
may cause additive heart rate or rhythm problems. Using St. John's wort, ma huang, or kola while taking this medicine may result in unacceptable heart
stimulation. Belladonna,
henbane, scopolia, pheasant's eye extract or
lily
of the valley or squill powdered extracts should not be taken if you have
abnormal heart rhythms.
- Beverages:
- Caffeine may have an effect on heart rate and may not be desirable.
Talk to your doctor about caffeine.
- Alcohol:
- Alcohol can increase the blood-pressure-lowering effects
of this medicament.
- Tobacco smoking:
- Nicotine may irritate the heart, reducing
medicament effectiveness.
- Occurrence of unrelated illness:
- Vomiting, diarrhea or dehydration can affect this
medicament's action adversely. Report such developments promptly.
- Discontinuation:
- Should not be stopped abruptly after long-term use. Ask your
doctor about slowly reducing the dose.
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