Quinidine Gluconate Solution for injection Health Article

Generic name(s):

Quinidine Gluconate Solution for injection

Brand name(s):

Cardioquin, Quin-G, Quin-Release, Quinaglute Dura-Tabs, Quinidex Extentabs, Quinidine Gluconate, Quinidine Gluconate ER, Quinidine Sulfate, Quinidine Sulfate Dihydrate, Quinidine Sulfate ER, Quinora

What is this medicine?

QUINIDINE (KWIN i deen) is an antiarrhythmic drug. It helps make your heart beat regularly. This medicine also helps to slow rapid heartbeats. It is also used to treat certain types of malaria.

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 or previous heart attack
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• low blood pressure
• lung or breathing disease, like asthma
• myasthenia gravis
• you have a pacemaker
• an unusual or allergic reaction to quinidine, quinine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for injection into a muscle or infusion into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

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?

This does not apply.

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• abarelix
• amiloride
• amoxapine
• apomorphine
• arsenic trioxide
• certain antifungal medicines like itraconazole or ketoconazole
• certain quinolone antibiotics
• cisapride
• droperidol
• haloperidol
• hawthorn
• levomethadyl
• maprotiline
• medicines for malaria like chloroquine and halofantrine
• medicines for mental depression such as tricyclic antidepressants
• mefloquine
• methadone
• other medicines to control heart rhythm
• pentamidine
• phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, thioridazine
• pimozide
• ranolazine
• sertindole
• vardenafil
• voriconazole
• ziprasidone

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• acetazolamide
• antacids
• barbiturates, like phenobarbital
• cimetidine
• diuretics
• medicines for high blood pressure or angina
• medicines for surgery that relax muscles or block pain
• methazolamide
• phenytoin
• prescription pain medicines like codeine and hydrocodone
• rifampin
• sodium bicarbonate
• 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 carefully while you are receiving this medicine.

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. Alcohol can make you more dizzy, increase flushing and rapid heartbeats. Avoid alcoholic drinks.