Details

Procainamide affects the way your heart beats. Procainamide is used to help keep the heart beating normally in people with certain heart rhythm disorders of the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart that allow blood to flow out of the heart). Procainamide is given in a hospital setting. Your heart rate, breathing, blood pressure and other vital signs will be watched closely while you are receiving procainamide. Before you receive procainamide, tell your doctor if you have congestive heart failure circulation problems a history of heart attack or stroke a weak immune system kidney disease liver disease myasthenia gravis asthma or sulphite allergy if you are allergic to aspirin or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a numbing medicine.

Typical Uses

Procainamide is used to treat a certain serious, life-threatening irregular heartbeat (ventricular tachycardia). It is used to restore normal heart rhythm and to keep a regular, steady heartbeat. Procainamide is known as an anti-arrhythmic drug. It works by blocking certain electrical signals in the heart that can cause an irregular heartbeat.

Side Effects

Procainamide side effects may include a new or a worsening irregular heartbeat pattern chest pain, wheezing, trouble breathing feeling like you might pass out signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, sores in your mouth and throat, unusual weakness depressed mood, hallucinations, severe dizziness upper stomach pain, itching, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) or joint pain or swelling with fever, swollen glands, muscle pain or weakness, unusual thoughts or behaviour, patchy skin colour, red spots.

Drug Interactions

• Procainamide+amitriptyline- Using procainamide together with amitriptyline can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances.
• Procainamide+bepridil- Using bepridil together with procainamide is not recommended. Combining these drugs can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop sudden dizziness, light-headedness, fainting, or fast or pounding heartbeats during treatment with bepridil or procainamide.
• Procainamide+dasatinib- Using procainamide together with dasatinib can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances.
• Procainamide+gatifloxacin- Using procainamide together with gatifloxacin is not recommended. Combining these drugs can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop sudden dizziness, light-headedness, fainting, or fast or pounding heartbeats during treatment with procainamide or gatifloxacin.

Mechanism of action

Procainamide is sodium channel blocker. It stabilizes the neuronal membrane by inhibiting the ionic fluxes required for the initiation and conduction of impulses thereby effecting local anaesthetic action.

Pregnancy Category : C