Procainamide (Injection)

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you have congestive heart failure or kidney disease. Tell your doctor if you have liver disease or a muscle disease such as myasthenia gravis.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Introduction

Procainamide (proe-KANE-a-mide)

Treats arrhythmias or heart rhythm problems.

Brand Name(s)

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using digoxin, Lanoxin®, or Digitek®.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you use any medicines to control heart rhythm such as disopyramide, quinidine, Cardioquin®, Norpace®, or Quinaglute®.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using aspirin, atropine, dicyclomine, or Bentyl®. Tell your doctor if you use glycopyrrolate, scopolamine, Robinul®, or Transderm Scop®.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Chest pain or chest tightness.
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heart beats.
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, or body aches.
• Light-headedness or fainting.
• Pain in your upper stomach, nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite.
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Bitter taste in your mouth.
• Dizziness, tiredness, or weakness.
• Depression or agitation.
• Mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or stomach pain.
• Mild skin rash or itching.
• Pain in your joints.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088