Procainamide Injection

What is this medication?

PROCAINAMIDE (proe kane A mide) treats a fast or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). It works by slowing down overactive electric signals in the heart, which stabilizes your heart rhythm. It belongs to a group of medications called antiarrhythmics.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

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

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

• Anemia or blood disease
• Heart disease or previous heart attack
• Immune system problems, like lupus
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Low blood pressure
• Myasthenia gravis
• An unusual or allergic reaction to procainamide, procaine, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medication is for injection into a muscle or into a vein. It is given in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication 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?

This does not apply.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Abarelix
• Amoxapine
• Apomorphine
• Arsenic trioxide
• Certain macrolide antibiotics
• Certain quinolone antibiotics
• Cisapride
• Droperidol
• Haloperidol
• Hawthorn
• Levomethadyl
• Maprotiline
• Medications for malaria like chloroquine and halofantrine
• Medications for mental depression such as tricyclic antidepressants
• Methadone
• Other medications to control heart rhythm
• Pentamidine
• Phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, and thioridazine
• Pimozide
• Probucol
• Ranolazine
• Sertindole
• Vardenafil

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Cimetidine
• Ranitidine
• Succinylcholine
• Trimethoprim
• 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?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medication.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medication 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 can make you more dizzy, increase flushing and rapid heartbeats. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing
• Infection—fever, chills, cough, or sore throat
• Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
• Lupus-like syndrome—joint pain, swelling, or stiffness, butterfly-shaped rash on the face, rashes that get worse in the sun, fever, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Unusual bruising or bleeding

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

• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting

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?

This medication is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

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.