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:
This medicine is for injection into a muscle or infusion into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.
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?
This does not apply.
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.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can make you more dizzy, increase flushing and rapid heartbeats. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Last Updated: July 27, 2009
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