propafenone

In some cases, propafenone has been associated with the development of new or worsening irregular heartbeats. Discuss the benefits and risks of this medication with your doctor.

Before taking propafenone, tell your doctor if you have

• any other heart disease, heart problems, or a pacemaker;

• asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or any other breathing disorder;

• liver disease;

• kidney disease; or

• myasthenia gravis.

You may not be able to take propafenone, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment, if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Contact your healthcare provider during treatment with propafenone if you experience excessive or prolonged diarrhea, vomiting, sweating, or loss of appetite or thirst. These conditions may cause dehydration and/or a change in electrolyte balance in the body, and treatment with propafenone may need to be evaluated.

Propafenone is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether propafenone will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take propafenone without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

Propafenone passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take propafenone without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Take propafenone exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience difficulty breathing, chest pain, chest discomfort, worsening irregular heartbeats, blurred or irregular vision, a fever, a sore throat, an infection, or unusual bruising or bleeding. These may be early signs of serious side effects.

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking propafenone and seek emergency medical attention:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• new or worsening irregular heartbeats;

• chest pain or chest discomfort;

• shortness of breath;

• swelling of the legs or ankles;

• unusual bruising or bleeding; or

• fever, sore throat, sore mouth, mouth ulcers, or an infection.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take propafenone and talk to your doctor if you experience

• dizziness or tiredness;

• upset stomach, vomiting, decreased appetite, or constipation;

• headache or blurred vision; or

• changes in taste.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

In some cases, propafenone has been associated with the development of new or worsening irregular heartbeats. Discuss the benefits and risks of this medication with your doctor.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience difficulty breathing, chest pain, chest discomfort, worsening irregular heartbeats, blurred or irregular vision, a fever, a sore throat, an infection, or unusual bruising or bleeding. These may be early signs of serious side effects.

Do not skip doses, change your dosing schedule, or stop taking propafenone without talking to your doctor. Changing your schedule could make your condition worse.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Propafenone may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. If you experience dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision, avoid these activities.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Propafenone may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. If you experience dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision, avoid these activities.

Before taking propafenone, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• a beta-blocker such as acebutolol (Sectral), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), propranolol (Inderal), atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), betaxolol (Kerlone), carteolol (Cartrol), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), nadolol (Corgard), or pindolol (Visken);

• a barbiturate such as phenobarbital (Solfoton, Luminal), mephobarbital (Mebaral), pentobarbital (Nembutal), or secobarbital (Seconal);

• a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others;

• a local anesthetic (used to cause numbness before procedures such as surgery or dental work);

• an HIV protease inhibitor such as ritonavir (Norvir), nelfinavir (Viracept), indinavir (Crixivan), and others;

• digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);

• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral);

• rifampin (Rimactane, Rifadin);

• cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB);

• quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex);

• warfarin (Coumadin);

• theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, Elixophyllin, Slo-Phyllin, others);

• sparfloxacin (Zagam); or

• tolterodine (Detrol, Detrol LA).

You may not be able to take propafenone, or you may require a dosage adjustment special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with propafenone. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

Symptoms of a propafenone overdose include tiredness, dizziness, fainting, confusion, slow heart beats, seizures, and a worsening irregular heartbeat.