Propafenone

Description

Propafenone is an anti-arrhythmic medicine which is used to treat life-threatening heart rhythm disorders. It belongs to a group of medicines called Class 1C antiarrhythmic agents.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Propafenone

  • Change in taste
  • Tiredness and weakness
  • Blurred vision
  • Dry mouth
  • Nausea or Vomiting
  • Chest pain
  • Headache
  • Weight gain
  • Shortness of breath

Uses of Propafenone

What is it prescribed for?

  • Atrial Fibrillation
  • Atrial Flutter
  • Ventricular tachycardia
  • Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
  • Duration of effect
    The amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit forming tendencies were reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.

Allergy

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to propafenone or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.

Bradycardia

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a very low heart rate due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition.

Cardiogenic shock

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with cardiogenic shock due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition.

Sick sinus syndrome

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with sick sinus syndrome (heart rhythm disorder) due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition.

Severe hypotension

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with severe hypotension (low blood pressure) due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition.

Congestive Heart Failure

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with congestive heart failure due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition.

Myasthenia gravis

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with myasthenia gravis (neuromuscular disorder) due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings

Electrolyte abnormalities

This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients having an electrolyte imbalance in the body. An altered level of ions like magnesium and sodium affects the absorption of this medicine, reducing effectiveness. Hence, the electrolyte imbalance should be corrected in such patients before starting therapy with this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition

Use in elderly population

This medicine should be used with extreme caution in elderly patients due to the risk of adverse effects. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Driving and operating machinery

This medicine may cause symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, etc. in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.

Kidney impairment

This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with kidney impairment due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Regular monitoring of kidney function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Liver impairment

This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with kidney impairment due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Regular monitoring of kidney function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Escitalopram

Atazanavir

Ciprofloxacin

Amiodarone

Clarithromycin

Disease interactions

Electrolyte imbalance

This medicine should be used with caution in patients having an electrolyte imbalance in the body. An altered level of ions like magnesium and sodium affects the absorption of this medicine, reducing effectiveness.
Food interactions
Consumption of grapefruit juice or grapefruit is not recommended while taking this medicine due to increased risk of adverse effects. Any unusual symptoms should be reported to the doctor immediately.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take this medicine exactly as instructed by the doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts than prescribed. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of any severe side effects. Ensure that the course of treatment is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
It works by reducing the hyperactivity of the heart muscles which helps the heart to beat normally.
Legal Status

Approved

Unknown

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Class IC antiarrhythmics

Schedule

Schedule H

[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2018 [cited 20 September 2018]. Available from:

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2013/019151s012lbl.pdf

[Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 20 September 2018]. Available from:

https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB01182

[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2018 [cited 20 September 2018]. Available from:

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2003/21416_rythmol_lbl.pdf

Arythmol 150mg Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (eMC) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2019 [cited 9 May 2019]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1733/smpc

[Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2018 [cited 21 September 2018]. Available from:

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698002.html

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Information on this page was last updated on 9 May 2019

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.