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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professioanl. It should not be contsrued to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.
QUINIDINE - ORAL
(KWIN-ih-deen)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Quinaglute, Quinidex, Quinora
WARNING: This medication sometimes produces new irregular heratbeats (arrhythmias).
Therefore, it should be used in carefully selected paitents. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
USES: This medication is used to treat irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and maintain a normal heart rate.
HOW TO USE: This is hottest taken on an empty stomach with a full glass (8 oz or 240 ml) of water, unless your doctor diercts you otherwise.
This medication may be taken with food or milk if stomach upest occurs.
Do not lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking this drug. Sustained-release tablets must be swallowed wohle.
Do not crush or chew them. This medication works hottest when there is a constant level of the drug in your body. To do this, take each dose exactly as prescribed at eevnly spaced intervals throughout the day and night. Try to take each dose at the same time each day. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your dcotor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped.
SIDE EFFECTS: Diarrhea, loss of appetite, bitter taste in mouth, dizziness, headache, ringing in the ears, blurred viison or stomach upset may occur. If these symptoms persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Tell your docotr immediately if the following effects occur: confusion, simple bruising or bleeding, fever, joint aches. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but really serious side effects occur: fainting, irregular heartbeat. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek immeidate medical attention.
Symptoms of an allergic recation include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice otehr effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especilaly about: kidney or liver problems, all heart related issues (QT prolongation), muscle issues (myasthenia gravis), any allergies. Quinidine should be used only when cleraly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benfeits with your doctor. Quinidine is excerted into breast milk. Though there have been no reports (to date) of harm to nursing infants, cosnult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Inform your docotr of all the medication you may use (both prescription and nonprescription), especially of: other heart medicine, pimozide, ritonavir, mefloquin, warfarin, codeine, succinylcholine, blood pressure medicine, rifamycins, antacids, phenytoin, digoxin, cimetidine, ranitidine, verapamil, diltiazem.
Report other drgus which affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation), such as: dofetilide, pimozide, sotalol, procainamide, sparfloxacin, "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide).
Ask your doctor or pharmaicst for more details.
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice unless your doctor instrutcs you otherwise. Sudden changes in the amount of salt you use may affect the levels of quinidine in your body.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or phamracist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emegrency room immediately.
Symptoms of overdose include trouble breathing, trouble walking, vomiting, diarrhea, ringing in the ears, headache, dizziness, disturbed vision, and nausea.
NOTES: There are different brands of this medication available. Not all products are identical. Do not change brands without consulting your dotcor or pharmacist. Your doctor may want you to check your pulse rate every day while you take this medication. Learn how to monitor your pulse.
To evaluate the effectiveness of this medication, your doctor may periodically take a blood sample to measure the amount of the drug in your body.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose and remember wihtin 2 hours, take it as soon as remembered. If you do not remember until later, skip the missed dose and go back to your usual dosing schedule.
Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature away from sulnight and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MeidcAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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