Quinidine

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

Quinidine is used to treat certain types of irregular heartbeats. Quinidine is in a class of medications called antiarrhythmic medications. It works by making your heart more resistant to abnormal activity.

HOW should this medicine be used?

Quinidine comes as a tablet (quinidine sulfate) and an extended-release (long-acting) tablet (quinidine gluconate) to take by mouth. Quinidine sulfate tablets are usually is taken every 6 hours. Extended-release quinidine gluconate tablets are usually is taken every 8 to 12 hours. Take quinidine at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take quinidine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

The extended-release tablet may be split in half. Swallow the whole or half tablets whole; do not chew or crush them.

Quinidine helps control your condition but will not cure it. Continue to take quinidine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking quinidine without talking to your doctor.

Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?

Quinidine is also sometimes used to treat malaria. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.

What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

Before taking quinidine,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to quinidine, quinine, or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutrition supplements you are taking or plan to take while taking quinidine. ; Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• the following nonprescription products may interact with quinidine: cimetidine (Tagamet); sodium bicarbonate (Arm and Hammer Baking Soda, in Zegerid OTC). Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start taking quinidine. Do not start any of these medications while taking quinidine without discussing with your healthcare provider.
• tell your doctor if you have heart block (condition in which electrical signals are not passed normally from the upper chambers of the heart to the lower chambers) or have or have ever had immune thrombocytopenia (ITP; idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura; an ongoing condition that may cause easy bruising or bleeding due to an abnormally low number of platelets in the blood) or myasthenia gravis (a disorder of the nervous system that causes muscle weakness). Your doctor may tell you not to take quinidine.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a prolonged QT interval (condition that increases the risk of developing an irregular heartbeat that may cause fainting or sudden death); a slow heartbeat; low blood levels of calcium, magnesium or potassium in your blood; or liver or kidney disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking quinidine, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking quinidine.

What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?

Do not drink grapefruit juice while taking this medication. Do not change the amount of salt in your diet without talking to your doctor.

What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?

Quinidine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• diarrhea
• nausea
• vomiting
• heartburm
• fever
• dizziness
• lightheadedness
• headache
• fatigue
• weakness
• rash
• difficulty sleeping
• tremor

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• ringing in the ears or loss of hearing
• vision changes (blurred vision or light sensitivity)
• confusion
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• loss of appetite, nausea, yellow eyes or skin, pain in the upper right area of the stomach, or dark urine

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about STORAGE and DISPOSAL of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• irregular heartbeat
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• headache
• ringing in the ears or loss of hearing
• vision changes (blurred vision or light sensitivity)
• confusion

What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will need to determine your response to quinidine.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS^® Patient Medication Information™. © Copyright, 2024. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists^®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

Selected Revisions: July 15, 2020.