An antiarrhythmic agent - It helps make your heart beat regularly
FDA Alerts
Positive ANA Titer
Prolonged use often results in development of positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) titers.
Symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-like syndrome may or may not accompany ANA titers.
Assess benefits versus risks of continued therapy if positive ANA titer develops.
Mortality
Excessive mortality or nonfatal cardiac arrest rate (7.7%) in encainide- or flecainide-treated patients with asymptomatic non-life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias (with MI history >6 days but <2 years) in NHLBI's long-term CAST study relative to placebo.
Applicability of CAST findings to other populations (e.g., those without recent MI) uncertain.
Because of procainamide's proarrhythmic properties and lack of evidence of improved survival for any antiarrhythmic drug, reserve procainamide for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.
Blood Dyscrasias
Agranulocytosis, bone marrow depression, neutropenia, hemoplastic anemia, and thrombocytopenia occur in approximately 0.5% of procainamide-treated patients, usually at recommended dosages.
Potentially fatal (e.g., in 20–25% of agranulocytosis cases).
Usually noted during the initial 12 weeks of therapy.
Perform CBCs, including leukocyte, differential, and platelet counts, at weekly intervals for the first 3 months of therapy and periodically thereafter.
Perform CBC promptly if any sign of infection (e.g., fever, chills, sore throat, stomatitis), bruising, or bleeding develops.
Discontinue procainamide if any of these hematologic disorders develops.
Blood cell counts usually return to normal 1 month after procainamide discontinuance.
Exercise caution in preexisting marrow failure or cytopenia of any type.
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not cut, crush or chew this medicine. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly. This may cause serious, heart-related side effects. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take. If your doctor wants you to stop the medicine, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
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