Brand name : PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl)
Pronounced: PROH-can
Generic name: Procainamide hydrochloride
Other brand names: Pronestyl Pronestyl-SR
Why is PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl) prescribed?
PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl) is used to treat severe irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias).
Arrhythmias are generally divided into two main types: heartbeats that
are faster than normal (tachycardia), and heartbeats that are slower
than normal (bradycardia). Irregular heartbeats are often caused by
drugs or disease but can occur in otherwise healthy people with no
history of heart disease or other illness.
Most important fact about PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl)
PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl) can cause serious blood disorders, especially during the
first 3 months of treatment. Be sure to notify your doctor if you notice
any of the following: joint or muscle pain, dark urine, yellowing of
skin or eyes, muscular weakness, chest or abdominal pain, appetite
loss, diarrhea, hallucinations, dizziness, depression, wheezing, cough,
easy bruising or bleeding, tremors, palpitations, rash, soreness or
ulcers in the mouth, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills.
How should you take PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl)?
Take only your prescribed doses of PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl); never take more.
PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl) should be swallowed whole. Do not break or chew the tablet.
You may see remmants of the tablet in your stool, since it does not
disintegrate following release of procainamide.
Try not to miss any doses. Skipping doses, changing the intervals
between doses, or "making up" missed doses by doubling up
later may cause your condition to worsen and could be dangerous.
If you miss a dose...
Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next
dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule.
Never take 2 doses at the same time.
Storage instructions...
Store at room temperature in a tightly closed container, away from
heat, light, and moisture.
PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl) side effects
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity,
inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine
if it is safe for you to continue taking PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl).
* Side effects may include:
Abdominal pain, bitter taste, blood disorders, chest pain, chills, diarrhea,
dizziness, fever, flushing, giddiness, hallucinations, hives, itching, joint
pain or inflammation, loss of appetite, low blood pressure, mental depression,
muscle pain, nausea, rash, skin lesions, swelling, vague feeling of illness,
vomiting, weakness
Why should PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl) not be prescribed?
PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl) should not be taken if you have the heart irregularity known
as complete heart block or incomplete heart block without a pacemaker,
or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to procaine or similar
local anesthetics.
Your doctor will not prescribe PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl) if you have been diagnosed
with the connective-tissue disease lupus erythematosus or the heartbeat
irregularity known as torsade de pointes.
Special warnings about PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl)
To check for the serious blood disorders that can develop during PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl)
therapy, your doctor will do a complete blood count weekly for the
first 12 weeks and will continue to monitor your blood count carefully
after that.
If you develop a fever, chills, sore throat or mouth, bruising or
bleeding, infections, chest or abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weakness,
muscle or joint pain, skin rash, nausea, fluttery heartbeat, vomiting,
diarrhea, hallucinations, dizziness, depression, wheezing, yellow eyes
and skin, or dark urine, contact your doctor immediately. It could
indicate a serious illness.
Be sure your doctor knows if you have ever had congestive heart failure
or other types of heart disease.
Your doctor will prescribe PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl) along with other antiarrhythmic
drugs, such as quinidine or disopyramide, only if they have been tried
and have not worked when used alone.
If you have ever had kidney disease, liver disease, or myasthenia
gravis (a disease that causes muscle weakness, especially in the face
and neck), your doctor will watch you carefully while you are taking
PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl).
Make sure your doctor is aware of any drug reactions you have experienced,
especially to procaine, other local anesthetics, or aspirin.
PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl) has been known to trigger a disorder similar to lupus erythematosus.
Notify your doctor if you develop any of the following lupus-like symptoms:
joint pain or inflammation, abdominal or chest pain, fever, chills,
muscle pain, skin lesions.
Doses of PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl) must be very precise. Different brands of procainamide
have different dosing instructions. If your prescription looks different
in any way, ask your doctor or pharmacist to check it and make sure
it was dispensed correctly.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl)
If PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl) is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either
could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important
to check with your doctor before combining PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl) with the following:
Alcohol
Amiodarone (Cordarone)
Antiarrhythmic drugs such as quinidine (Quinidex) and mexiletine (Mexitil)
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Drugs that ease muscle spasms, such as Cogentin and Artane
Lidocaine
Ranitidine (Zantac)
Trimethoprim (Proloprim)
Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
The effects of PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl) during pregnancy have not been adequately
studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your
doctor immediately. PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl) appears in breast milk and may affect
a nursing infant. If PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl) is essential to your health, your doctor
may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding until your treatment is
finished.
Recommended dosage for PRONESTYL (Procainamide, Pronestyl)
ADULTS
Overdosage
Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you
suspect an overdose, seek medical treatment immediately.
