Procainamide

Since Procainamide can upset the stomach, I was told to take it with food. Procanamide also has a short half life and the concentration level can drop below therapeutic values in 12-18 hours.

1.) What is the recommended administration of the drug when undergoing minor or major surgery where no food or drink is allowed 12 hours before the surgery and the actual procedure may fall into the 18 hr time window after the last Procainamide intake. If the drug is administered intravenously, is continous EKG monitoring advisable during the surgery?

2.) While on Procainamide, is the selection of painkillers at the dentist, or selection of the anesthetics used for surgery critical?

3.) Is consultation / presence of an anethesiologist during minor surgical procedures (such as a colonoscopy or endoscopy) a must?

Thanks again for all the help.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

1.) What is the recommended administration of the drug when undergoing minor or major surgery where no food
     or drink is allowed 12 hours before the surgery and the actual procedure may fall into the 18 hr time window after
     the last Procainamide intake. If the drug is administered intravenously, is continous EKG monitoring advisable
     during the surgery?
A: You would have to follow your doctors advice on whether to take it or not.


     2.) While on Procainamide, is the selection of painkillers at the dentist, or selection of the anesthetics used for
     surgery critical?
A: No.

     3.) Is consultation / presence of an anethesiologist during minor surgical procedures (such as a colonoscopy or
     endoscopy) a must?
A: Not usually.