An antiarrhythmic agent - It helps make your heart beat regularly
FDA Alerts
Mortality
In many antiarrhythmic drug trials for non-life-threatening arrhythmias, active drug treatment was associated with increased mortality.
Risk of antiarrhythmic drug therapy probably is greatest in patients with structural heart disease.
Pooled analysis of data from several randomized, controlled studies in patients with atrial flutter and fibrillation indicates that quinidine therapy may be associated with a mortality rate 3 times higher compared with that associated with placebo; consider the increased risk of death when initiating quinidine therapy.
Pooled analysis of clinical trials showed mortality with quinidine for non-life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias as consistently exceeding that associated with various alternative antiarrhythmic drugs (i.e., flecainide, mexiletine, propafenone, tocainide).
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.
QUINIDINE (KWIN i deen) is an antiarrhythmic drug. It helps make your heart beat regularly. This medicine also helps to slow rapid heartbeats. It is also used to treat certain types of malaria.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take this medicine with or without food. 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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