Quinidine tablets

What is this medication?

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.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Quinora

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

•heart disease or previous heart attack

•kidney disease

•liver disease

•low blood pressure

•lung or breathing disease, like asthma

•myasthenia gravis

•you have a pacemaker

•an unusual or allergic reaction to quinidine, quinine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

•pregnant or trying to get pregnant

•breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take this medicine with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly. This may cause serious, heart-related side effects. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take. If your doctor wants you to stop the medicine, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.

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?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• abarelix
• amiloride
• amoxapine
• apomorphine
• arsenic trioxide
• certain antifungal medicines like itraconazole or ketoconazole
• certain quinolone antibiotics
• cisapride
• droperidol
• haloperidol
• hawthorn
• levomethadyl
• maprotiline
• medicines for malaria like chloroquine and halofantrine
• medicines for mental depression such as tricyclic antidepressants
• mefloquine
• methadone
• other medicines to control heart rhythm
• pentamidine
• phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, thioridazine
• pimozide
• ranolazine
• sertindole
• vardenafil
• voriconazole

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• acetazolamide
• antacids
• barbiturates, like phenobarbital
• cimetidine
• diuretics
• medicines for high blood pressure or angina
• medicines for surgery that relax muscles or block pain
• methazolamide
• phenytoin
• prescription pain medicines like codeine and hydrocodone
• rifampin
• sodium bicarbonate
• warfarin
• ziprasidone

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 medication?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Wear a medical ID bracelet or chain, and carry a card that describes your disease and details of your medicine and dosage times.

Check your blood pressure and pulse rate regularly. Ask your health care professional what your blood pressure and pulse rate should be, and when you should contact him or her. Your doctor or health care professional also may schedule regular blood tests and electrocardiograms to check your progress.

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 may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

•breathing problems

•changes in vision

•confusion

•feeling faint or lightheaded

•fever

•headache

•irregular heartbeat

•nausea, vomiting

•pain on swallowing

•skin rash, peeling or loose skin

•ringing in the ears

•unusual bruising or bleeding

•unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

•diarrhea

•flushing of the skin with intense itching

•heartburn

•loss of appetite

•stomach pain

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light and moisture. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.