Procainamide (HCl)
Procainamide (HCl) Information

About Procainamide (HCl)

Procainamide(HCl) is a potent class I antiarrhythmic agent used in the treatment of several cardiac arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, and ventricular tachycardia. A derivative of the local anesthetic procaine, differs from procaine only in that it conatin an amide structure rather than an ester linkage. This difference protects it from enzymatic hydrolysis resulting in comperatively longer duration of action and less central nervous sytem effects. Procainamide is similar in action to quinidine and disopyramide. It can be administered both orally and parenterally. Procainamide was given FDA approval in 1950 and has been used in clinical medicine since 1951. Procainamide inhibits the influx of sodium through membrane pores. It exerts its effects on "fast" channels of the myocardial cell membrane, prolonging the recovery period after repolarizatio, Thereby decreasing myocardial automaticity, excitability, conduction velocity, and possibly contractility.

Indications

Procainamide (HCl) is primarily indicated in conditions like Atrial arrhythmias, Cardiac arrhythmia, Prophylaxis of NSAID-induced duodenal ulcer, Sinus rhythm, Ventricular arrhythmias.

Contraindication

Procainamide (HCl) is contraindicated in conditions like Heart failure,Myasthenia gravis,Heart block,Digitalis toxicity.

Side Effects

Procainamide (HCl) produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Anemia, Agranulocytosis, Thrombocytopenia, Lupus erythematosus, Neutropenia, Pancytopenia, Leucopenia, Ventricular tachycardia. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Procainamide (HCl) therapy.The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Procainamide (HCl) include Hypotension, Vomiting, Tachycardia, Oliguria.The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Procainamide (HCl) are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Anorexia, Diarrhea, Confusion, Depression, Taste disturbance, Nausea and vomiting, Giddiness, Convulsions.

Warnings

Procainamide should be used only if clearly needed during pregnancy or lactation. It should be used with caution in patients with any pre-existing kidney disease, heart disease, liver disease, myasthenia gravis, lupus erythematosus, blood disorders or if have any allergy especially to procaine, local anesthetic drugs or aspirin.

High Risk Groups

Drug should not be given to Paediatrics, Pregnant Mothers, and Neonates.If prescribing authority justifies the benefits of the drug against the possible damages he/she should reevaluate them and consult the reference material and previous studies.