| Dental Dictionary: propafenone |
trade name: Rythmol; drug class: antidysrhythmic (Class IC); action: able to slow conduction velocity; reduces cardiac muscle membrane responsiveness; inhibits automaticity; increases ratio of effective refractory period to action potential duration; β-blocking activity; use: documented life-threatening dysrhythmias.
| 5min Related Video: Propafenone |
| Drug Info: Propafenone |
Brand names: RythmolRythmol®Rythmol® SR
Chemical formula:
Propafenone Hydrochloride Oral capsule, extended-release
What is this medicine?
PROPAFENONE (proe pa FEEN one) is an antiarrhythmic agent. This medicine is used to prevent a type of abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•heart disease
•high blood levels of potassium
•kidney disease
•liver disease
•low blood pressure
•lung disease like asthma, chronic bronchitis or emphysema
•pacemaker
•slow heart rate
•an unusual or allergic reaction to propafenone, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow whole. Do not crush or chew. You can take this medicine with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you are using neostigmine on a regular basis and miss a dose, you may precipitate a crisis. Use a non-electric alarm clock to remind you of exact dose time. Do not use double or extra doses.What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
•arsenic trioxide
•certain antibiotics like clarithromycin, erythromycin, grepafloxacin, sparfloxacin, troleandomycin
•cisapride
•droperidol
•levomethadyl
•medicines for malaria like chloroquine or halofantrine
•medicines to control heart rhythm
•pentamidine
•pimozide
•ranolazine
•ritonavir
•sertindole
•some medicines for treating depression or mental illness like amoxapine, haloperidol, maprotiline, pimozide, phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants
•ziprasidone
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
•cimetidine
•cyclosporine
•digoxin
•diuretics
•local anesthetics
•medicines for angina or high blood pressure
•medicines for asthma or breathing difficulties like formoterol or salmeterol
•rifampin
•theophylline
•warfarin
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Your condition will be monitored closely when you first begin therapy. Often, this drug is first started in a hospital or other monitored health care setting. Once you are on maintenance therapy, visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Because your condition and use of this medicine carry some risk, it is a good idea to carry an identification card, necklace or bracelet with details of your condition, medications, and doctor or health care professional.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your doctor or health care professional that you are taking this medicine.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
•chest pain, palpitations
•fever or chills
•shortness of breath
•swelling of feet or legs
•trembling or shaking
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•blurred vision
•changes in taste (a metallic or bitter taste)
•constipation or diarrhea
•dry mouth
•headache
•nausea or vomiting
•tiredness or weakness
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Last updated: 7/1/2002
Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.
| Wikipedia: Propafenone |
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|
| Systematic (IUPAC) name | |
|---|---|
| 1-{2-[2-hydroxy-3-(propylamino)propoxy]phenyl}-3-phenylpropan-1-one | |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | 54063-53-5 |
| ATC code | C01BC03 |
| PubChem | 4932 |
| DrugBank | APRD00261 |
| Chemical data | |
| Formula | C21H27NO3 |
| Mol. mass | 341.444 g/mol |
| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | ? |
| Protein binding | 97% |
| Metabolism | ? |
| Half life | 2-10 hours |
| Excretion | ? |
| Therapeutic considerations | |
| Pregnancy cat. |
C |
| Legal status |
Prescription only |
| Routes | Oral |
 (what is this?) (verify) |
|
Propafenone (pro-PA-fen-own) (brand name Rythmol SR or Rytmonorm) is a class Ic anti-arrhythmic medication, which treats illnesses associated with rapid heart beats such as atrial and ventricular arrhythmias.
Contents |
Propafenone works by slowing the influx of sodium ions into the cardiac muscle cells, causing a decrease in excitability of the cells.
Propafenone is metabolized primarily in the liver. Because of its short half-life, it requires dosing two or three times daily to maintain steady blood levels. The long-term safety of propafenone is unknown. Because it is structurally similar to another dangerous anti-arrhythmic medicine, flecainide, caution should be exercised in its use. Flecainide and propafenone, like other antiarrhythmic drugs have been shown to increase the occurrence of dangerous arrhythmias (5.3% for propafenone, Teva physician prescribing information), primarily in patients with underlying heart disease.
Side effects attributed to propafenone include hypersensitivity reactions, lupus-like syndrome, agranulocytopenia, CNS disturbances such as dizziness, lightheadedness, gastrointestinal upset, a metallic taste and bronchospasm. About 20% of patients discontinued the drug due to side effects.
Propafenone generally needs to be started in a hospital setting to assure ECG monitoring of the patient. There are many different dosages of propafenone, depending on clinical presentation of the arrhythmia. The treatment is generally begun with relatively high dosages (450-900mg/d) decreasing to near 300 mg/d. In most western countries the accepted maximal dosage is 900mg/d.
For economic and patient convenience reasons, some clinicians are starting certain antiarrhythmic agents in an outpatient setting for some patients. No consensus exists regarding the safety of this practice, and information is needed to determine which agents and which patients are appropriate for outpatient initiation of antiarrhythmic therapy. From a clinical point of view, this drug is used primarily in patients with relatively preserved myocardial function. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/atrialsum.htm
Caution should be used in administrating propafenone in individuals with hepatic dysfunction, asthma, CHF, or bradycardia.
The patents for the Rythmol family of products are owned by Reliant Pharmaceuticals, Inc., in Liberty Corner, N.J. Reliant acquired the patents from developer Abbott Laboratories, Inc., in 2003.
Reliant Pharmaceuticals filed a federal patent infringement lawsuit against generic drug maker Par Pharmaceuticals, Inc., on December 19, 2006. The lawsuit, filed in the federal district court for Delaware, seeks to prevent Par from manufacturing a generic version of Rythmol. Par is seeking approval to do so from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Reliant's patent for the drug was issued in October, 1997, and it expires in 2014. Par believes the patent is invalid, according to its filing with the FDA.
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