Propafenone (patient information)

IMPORTANT WARNING
Antiarrhythmic drugs, including propafenone, may increase the risk of death. Tell your doctor if you have had a heart attack within the past two years.

Propafenone should be used only to treat life-threatening arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). Talk to your doctor about the risk of taking propafenone.

Why this medication is prescribed
Propafenone is used to treat arrhythmias and to maintain a normal heart rate. It acts on the heart muscle to improve the heart's rhythm.

How this medication should be used
Propafenone comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken every 8 hours. This medication is sometimes started in the hospital where your response can be monitored. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take propafenone exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Propafenone controls irregular heartbeats, but does not cure them. Continue to take propafenone even if you feel well. Do not stop taking propafenone without talking to your doctor. Your heartbeat may become irregular if you suddenly stop taking propafenone.

Other uses for this medicine
This medication should not be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Special precautions
Before taking propafenone:


 * tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to propafenone or any other drugs.
 * tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol (Cartrol), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), sotalol (Betapace), and timolol (Blocadren); cimetidine (Tagamet); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); digoxin (Lanoxin); quinidine (Quinaglute); rifampin (Rifadin); and vitamins.
 * in addition to the condition listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease, congestive heart failure, a pacemaker, chronic bronchitis, asthma, or emphysema.
 * tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking propafenone, call your doctor.
 * if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking propafenone.
 * you should know that this drug may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.

Special dietary instructions
Talk to your doctor about your diet. Foods and salt substitutes containing potassium can affect the action of propafenone.

What to do if you forget a dose
Take the missed dose if you remember it within 4 hours. If you do not remember it until 4 or more hours after the scheduled time, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Minor Side Effects
Propafenone may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:


 * dizziness
 * drowsiness
 * dry mouth
 * headache
 * upset stomach
 * diarrhea
 * constipation
 * vomiting
 * loss of appetite
 * taste changes
 * gas
 * blurred vision

Severe Side Effects
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:


 * difficulty breathing
 * chest pain
 * irregular heartbeat
 * increased or decreased heartbeat
 * fainting
 * skin rash
 * unexplained fever, chills, or sore throat
 * unusual bleeding or bruising

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Storage conditions needed for this medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Other information
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may want to evaluate the effectiveness of propafenone with physical examinations, EKG (electrocardiogram) tests, and blood tests.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Brand names

 * Rythmol®