Propafenone, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antiarrhythmic (treats irregular heartbeat)

Generic and brand names: propafenone, oral; Rythmol; Rythmol SR

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to correct an irregular heartbeat. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• asthma, bronchitis or emphysema
• heart failure
• heart disease or a pacemaker
• kidney or liver disease
• imbalances of sodium, potassium, magnesium, or calcium in the blood
• myasthenia gravis
• severe low blood pressure

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Do not take more or less of it or take it longer than prescribed.

You may take this medicine with or without food or milk. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach.

If you have extended-release capsules, do not break, open, crush, or chew them. Swallow them whole. Ask your pharmacist if you have the extended-release capsules.

What if I miss a dose?

This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in your body. Take the medicine at the same time every day in evenly spaced doses. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: weakness, lightheadedness, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fainting, confusion, slow heartbeat, seizures, blurred vision.

What should I watch out for?

Check your heart rate (pulse) and blood pressure regularly while you are taking this medicine. This medicine may cause a new irregular heartbeat. Contact your healthcare provider or get medical care right away if you notice a change in your heart rate.

Your healthcare provider may want to see you regularly to determine how well the medicine is working.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

This medicine may make you feel dizzy or lightheaded. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

Do not take this medicine for other conditions unless your healthcare provider approves. Do not give this medicine to other people with similar symptoms.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Chest pain, increased swelling in legs and feet, worsening of irregular heartbeat, pounding in the chest, severe fatigue, trouble breathing, unusual bruising or bleeding, chills, cough, fever, sore throat, mouth sores or ulcers.

Other: Blurred vision, confusion, headache, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, lightheadedness, loss of appetite, nausea, numbness, ringing in ears, stomach pain, sweating, tingling, tremor, trouble sleeping, unusual taste sensation, vomiting.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• anesthetics such as lidocaine (Xylocaine) or Novocain
• anti-HIV medicines such as ritonavir (Norvir), delavirdine (Rescriptor), and saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase)
• antidepressants such as paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), fluvoxamine (Luvox), and fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem)
• antifungal medicines such as ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), and fluconazole (Diflucan)
• antipsychotic medicines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), prochlorperazine (Compazine), thioridazine, haloperidol (Haldol), olanzapine (Zyprexa), risperidone (Risperdal), and ziprasidone (Geodon)
• antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital (Luminal), and phenytoin (Dilantin)
• beta blockers such as propranolol (Inderal), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), and atenolol (Tenormin)
• caffeine
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• ephedra
• orlistat (Xenical)
• other antiarrhythmics (medicines to treat irregular heartbeat) such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone) and quinidine
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
• ropinirole (Requip)
• St. John's wort
• theophylline (an ingredient in many asthma medicines)
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline (Pamelor), desipramine (Norpramin), and imipramine (Tofranil)
• warfarin (Coumadin)

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medicine. Grapefruit affects the way this medicine works and may increase the risk of side effects.

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

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