Question Title: PVC's and Quinidine Sulfate

I am 57 yr. male in good health except for trouble sleeping.
6 ft, 173 lb., rest pulse 60/min, BP 110/70, cholesterol ~180.
I exercise 3-4 x per week with either:
free weights (for 1.5 hr)
OR
Nordick Track (20 to 40 minutes with a pulse rate of 135 to 155 depending on intensity).

About 6 years ago I was diagnosed w/ PVC's by Dr. A (I did not feel the PVC’s at that time and was disturbed by his finding.)
I took QUINIDINE SULFATE Extended Release Tablets, 300 mg. 4x per day for about 2 years and the PVC’s were gone.

I gradually stopped taking the QUINIDINE SULFATE.

Then I changed Drs. to a cardiologist (medical insurance change) who found no PVC’s for 2 years.

PVC’s have now returned (When I feel my pulse I detect missing beats).
PVC frequency varies ranging from every 3rd or 4th beat to none in 100 beats. (They seem to be worse after I exercise harder.)
I can feel the PVC’s in the form of palpitations(?). Also a sort of light-headedness at times.
I am currently back with Dr. A and he detects the PVC’s. (My insurance changed again – I like Dr. A very much and am glad to be his patient again.) I expect he will prescribe QUINIDINE SULFATE again.

QUESTION:

Is QUINIDINE SULFATE an acceptable drug for controlling PVC’s?

The reason I ask is that I have been informed by a close friend that QUINIDINE SULFATE is not a safe drug and is no longer prescribed for PVC’s. My friend works with a cardiologist who tests heart medications (using patients) for drug companies.

Thank you for your help. You have a great web site, one of the best.

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Dear Robert

PVCs are generally not treated anymore. If a patient is having bothersome symptoms from PVCs, then medications are used. Quinidine would not be the first medication I would try in that situation anyway. The fact that you experience lightheadedness now with the palpitations and not before indicates that you may be experiencing a different arrhythmia now - this possibility needs to be evaluated by your cardiologist. If quinidine is to be prescribed, your doctor should make sure that you do not have underlying heart disease.

I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck.

If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.

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