Propafenone (Systemic)

Brand Names : Rythmol

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For propafenone, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to propafenone. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Propafenone has not been studied in pregnant women. Although this medicine has not been shown to cause birth defects in animal studies, it has been shown to reduce fertility in monkeys, dogs, and rabbits. In addition, in rats it caused decreased growth in the infant and deaths of mothers and infants. Before taking propafenone, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding - Propafenone passes into breast milk. Because of the potential for problems in the nursing infant, propafenone is generally not recommended in mothers who are breast-feeding.

Children - Propafenone can cause serious side effects in any patient. Therefore, it is especially important that you discuss with the child's doctor the good that this medicine may do as well as the risks of using it.

Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of propafenone in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking propafenone it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking either of the following:

• Digoxin (e.g., Lanoxin) or
• Warfarin (e.g., Coumadin) - Effects of these medicines may be increased when used with propafenone

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of propafenone. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Asthma or
• Bronchitis or
• Emphysema - Propafenone can increase trouble in breathing

• Bradycardia (unusually slow heartbeat) - There is a risk of further decreased heart function

• Congestive heart failure or other heart disease or
• Myasthenia gravis or
• Severe low blood pressure - Propafenone may make these conditions worse

• Electrolyte (i.e., potassium) disorders - Propafenone may worsen heart rhythm problems

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease - Effects of propafenone may be increased because of slower removal from the body

• If you have a pacemaker - Propafenone may interfere with the pacemaker and require more careful follow-up by the doctor