Tonocard Oral

In Depth

Uses and How to Use
Precautions and Side Effects
Dosage and Storage

Generic Name: TOCAINIDE - ORAL
Pronounced: (toe-CANE-ide)

Tonocard Oral Warning

This medication has caused severe, even fatal, lung problems (e.g., pulmonary fibrosis), and blood disorders (e.g., agranulocytosis, bone marrow depression). Lung problems have occurred more often in severely ill people. Blood disorders often appear during the first 12 weeks of use.

Tell your doctor if you already have a blood disorder or bone marrow problem.

Stop using this drug and notify your doctor immediately if you develop signs of an infection (e.g., fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores), easy bruising or bleeding, coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing. Your doctor will decide if you require other treatment.

Your doctor will monitor you and test your blood counts for the first 3 months of therapy and often thereafter.

Tonocard Oral Side Effects

Nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, dizziness, headache, sweating, blurred vision, numbness or tingling of the fingers or toes, confusion or nervousness may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If these effects persist or worsen, inform your doctor.

Notify your doctor if you develop:

chest pain
rapid heartbeat
easy bruising or bleeding
rash
shortness of breath
breathing difficulties
coughing
persistent sore throat
fever

If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Tonocard Oral Precautions

Be sure your doctor or dentist knows your complete medical history, especially of: scheduled medical or dental procedures.

Because this medication may cause blurred vision or dizziness in some people, make sure you know how you react to this drug before driving or operating machinery.

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.

This medication passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Tonocard Oral Drug Interactions

Inform your doctor about all the medicines you use (both prescription and nonprescription), especially of:

beta- blockers (e.g., propranolol)
cimetidine
rifampin
other drugs used for heart problems

Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

Tonocard Oral Medical Alert

Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).