Quinidine

Quinidine

What is Quinidine?

Quinidine is also used to treat a life-threatening form of malaria.

Quinidine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Side effects of quinidine

If necessary, get emergency medical helpSigns of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Quinidine can cause serious side effects. Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• fast or pounding heartbeat, fluttering in the chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (as if you might faint);

• vomiting and diarrhea;

• confusion, ringing in the ears, hearing loss;

• severe eye redness, visual disturbances, increased sensitivity to light;

• Wheezing, chest tightness, difficulty breathing;

• easy bruising, unusual bleeding;

• pale or yellowish skin, stomach pain (top right), dark urine;

• fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, swollen glands;

• Itching, flaking, blistering, peeling skin, or rash on the cheeks or arms that gets worse with sun exposure;

• muscle or joint pain; or

• dry mouth, difficulty swallowing.

Common side effects of quinidine may include:

• chest pain, heart palpitations;

• Dizziness;

• heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

• flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingling);

• feeling weak or tired; or

• Pain or tenderness at the injection site of the drug (may last several weeks).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Quinidine may increase your risk of death,especially if you have heart problems that affect the tissues or valves of the heart (including heart problems that you may be born with). Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits of using quinidine.

Before you take this medicine

Although quinidine can reduce episodes of irregular heart rhythm,This medicine may increase your risk of death.Your risk may be higher if you have heart problems that affect the tissues or valves of the heart (including heart problems that you may be born with). Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits of using quinidine.

You should not use quinidine if you are allergic to it or if you have:

• a serious heart condition called “AV block” (unless you have a pacemaker);

• myasthenia gravis; or

• a history of bruising or bleeding after using quinidine or quinine.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a heart condition called sick sinus syndrome;

• slow heartbeat;

• heart failure;

• a heart valve disorder, a hole in your heart, an enlarged heart, or mitral valve prolapse;

• long QT syndrome (in you or a family member);

• Marfan syndrome;

• Cardiac arrhythmias with previous use of quinidine;

• liver or kidney disease; or

• an electrolyte imbalance (e.g. low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood).

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using quinidine.

How is quinidine administered?

Follow all instructions on your prescription label and read any medication guides or instructions for use. Use the medicine exactly as directed. Your blood pressure and heart rate should be monitored in a hospital or clinic when you start using quinidine and when your dose is changed.

Do not change your medication dose or schedule without your doctor's advice.

Oral quinidine is taken orally. Quinidine injection is given as an infusion into a vein. A doctor will give you this injection if you cannot take the medicine orally.

Do not crush or chew an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole. You can halve the tablet if your doctor tells you to.

If quinidine is given to treat malaria, you may also be given antibiotics. Use the antibiotic for as long as your doctor prescribes it.

Store at room temperature, protected from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as possible, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for the next dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Because you will receive the quinidine injection in a clinical setting, you are unlikely to miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222.A quinidine overdose can be fatal.

An overdose may cause vomiting, diarrhea, ringing in the ears, hearing loss, severe dizziness, double vision, confusion, irregular heartbeat, or the feeling of passing out.

What should I avoid when using quinidine?

Grapefruit may interact with oral quinidine and cause unwanted side effects. Avoid using grapefruit products.

What other drugs affect quinidine?

Sometimes it is not safe to take certain medications at the same time. Some medications can affect the blood levels of other medications you are taking, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Many medications can affect quinidine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all medications you are currently taking and any medications you are taking or stopping.

More information

Remember to keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the prescribed indication.