Procainamide Hydrochloride

October 15, 2019

Procainamide Hydrochloride is a prescription used to treat supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias.  

Supraventricular arrhythmia is defined as an abnormally fast heartbeat. Arrhythmias may cause the heart to beat too rapidly, too slowly, or irregularly. It is a broad term that consists of many forms of heart rhythm problems. A normal heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute. A heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute is called tachycardia. Most people with rare episodes of supraventricular arrhythmias live healthy lives without restrictions or interventions. Signs and symptoms may include:

  • Rapid heartbeat
  • A fluttering in your chest
  • Light-headedness
  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath
  • A pounding sensation in the neck
  • Sweating
  • Fainting or near fainting

Ventricular arrhythmias are abnormal heartbeats that originate in your lower heart chamber called ventricles. It caused by abnormal electrical signals sent across heart tissues. These types of arrhythmias cause your heart to beat too fast which prevents oxygen-rich blood from circulating to the brain and body. That may also result in cardiac arrest. A healthy heart normally beats about 60-100 times a minute when at rest. It is also defined by signals that originate in the upper chambers of the heart. Some signs and symptoms of this condition may include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Feeling as if your heart is racing
  • Light-headedness
  • Seizures
  • Chest pain

Procainamide Hydrochloride is a type of medicine called an antiarrhythmic. This helps to control irregular heartbeats. The medication lessens the speed of electrical conduction through the heart muscle. It also prolongs the electrical phase during which the heart’s muscle cells can be electrically stimulated. Lastly, it prolongs the recovery period during which the heart muscle cells cannot be stimulated. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already approved this prescription in the year 1950. This product is supplied as a tablet for oral use. Each tablet contains Procainamide as an active ingredient. This is available in the dosage forms of 250 mg, 375 mg, and 500 mg.

How does Procainamide Hydrochloride work?

Procainamide Hydrochloride works by lessening the sensitivity of heart muscle cells to electrical impulses. Wherein, it slows down the electrical transmission in the heart muscle. The heart’s pumping action is controlled by electrical signals that pass through the heart muscle. That causes the contraction of the two pairs of heart chambers. This action helps to restore disturbances in heart rhythm. In which it can otherwise seriously undermine the pumping action of the heart and result in inefficient blood circulation around the body.

How to use Procainamide Hydrochloride?

The prescribed dosage is based on your medical condition, age, and response to it. Procainamide Hydrochlorideis to be taken by mouth with a full glass of water. Swallow the tablet as a whole. Do not break, chew, or crush it. Drink plenty of fluids while having this treatment. Doing so may lessen the risk of certain side effects. You must take this medication exactly as it is given by your doctor. You should not take less or more often than the prescription. Your doctor may direct you to start at a lower dose and eventually increase it.

If you missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed dose. Let your doctor know if your condition gets worse or does not improve. It is important to continue taking this even if you feel well. Do not suddenly stop taking Procainamide Hydrochloridewithout the consent of your doctor. To help you remember, take it at the same time and in the same way each day. Take it regularly for the best result from this product.

What are the side effects of Procainamide Hydrochloride?

Common side effects:

  • Mild dizziness or tired feeling
  • Mild itching or rash
  • Flushing (redness, warmth, or tingly feeling)

Tell your doctor if you have these serious side effects such as:

  • Chest pain
  • Wheezing or trouble breathing
  • A new or a worsening irregular heartbeat pattern
  • Feeling like you might pass out
  • Severe dizziness
  • Depressed mood
  • Hallucinations
  • Upper stomach pain
  • Dark urine or clay-colored stools
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Sores in your mouth and throat
  • Loss of appetite
  • Unusual weakness
  • Signs of infection such as chills, fever, or sore throat
  • Flu symptoms
  • Pale skin, easy bruising, or bleeding
  • Joint pain or swelling with fever

Get emergency medical help if there are signs of an allergic reaction such as:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Hives
  • Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, and throat

Warnings and Precautions

  • Most drugs that control abnormal heart rhythms can also provoke them in some circumstances. For this reason, if you feel like your heart condition has got you worse or you experience chest pain, tell it your doctor immediately.
  • Use this medication with caution in elderly people, those with kidney or liver disease, hypokalemia, and hypotension.
  • For people with abnormal heart rhythm seen on a heart monitoring trace as a prolonged QT interval, this drug should also be carefully used.
  • If you are a pregnant or breastfeeding woman, consult your doctor first before taking a dose of this product.
  • Before having this treatment, let your doctor know if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this drug. Tell also if you have any allergies. This product may have an inactive ingredient that causes an allergic reaction.
  • Inform your doctor what prescription or non-prescription you are taking including vitamins or herbal supplements.
  • If you are having surgery including dental surgery, tell the doctor that you are taking Procainamide Hydrochloride.
  • This product may increase the irritability of your heart. Talk to your doctor about the use of caffeine-containing beverages or cigarettes.

This should not be used in people with:

  • A heart failure
  • A type of irregular heartbeat called Torsades de Pointes
  • Digoxin toxicity
  • Myasthenia gravis
  • An autoimmune condition called systemic lupus erythematosus
  • A defect of the heart’s electrical message pathways that result in decreased function of the heart