Quinidine tablets
Quinidine tablets
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.
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take this medicine with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly. This may cause serious, heart-related side effects. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take. If your doctor wants you to stop the medicine, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
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:
breathing problems
changes in vision
confusion
feeling faint or lightheaded
fever
headache
irregular heartbeat
nausea, vomiting
pain on swallowing
skin rash, peeling or loose skin
ringing in the ears
unusual bruising or bleeding
unusually weak or tired
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
diarrhea
flushing of the skin with intense itching
heartburn
loss of appetite
stomach pain
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
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
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). Protect from light and moisture. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
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
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Wear a medical ID bracelet or chain, and carry a card that describes your disease and details of your medicine and dosage times.
Check your blood pressure and pulse rate regularly. Ask your health care professional what your blood pressure and pulse rate should be, and when you should contact him or her. Your doctor or health care professional also may schedule regular blood tests and electrocardiograms to check your progress.
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 may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.
Updated:  
July 17, 2018