Procanbid

Why should Procanbid not be prescribed?

Procanbid should not be taken if you have the heart irregularity known as complete heart block or incomplete heart block without a pacemaker, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to procaine or similar local anesthetics.

Your doctor will not prescribe this drug if you have been diagnosed with the connective-tissue disease lupus erythematosus or the heartbeat irregularity known as torsade de pointes.

Special warnings about Procanbid

To check for the serious blood disorders that can develop during Procanbid therapy, your doctor will do a complete blood count weekly for the first 12 weeks and will continue to monitor your blood count carefully after that.

If you develop a fever, chills, sore throat or mouth, bruising or bleeding, infections, chest or abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weakness, muscle or joint pain, skin rash, nausea, fluttery heartbeat, vomiting, diarrhea, hallucinations, dizziness, depression, wheezing, yellow eyes and skin, or dark urine, contact your doctor immediately. It could indicate a serious illness.

Be sure your doctor knows if you have ever had congestive heart failure or other types of heart disease.

Your doctor will prescribe Procanbid along with other antiarrhythmic drugs, such as quinidine or disopyramide, only if they have been tried and have not worked when used alone.

If you have ever had kidney disease, liver disease, or myasthenia gravis (a disease that causes muscle weakness, especially in the face and neck), your doctor will watch you carefully while you are taking Procanbid.

Make sure your doctor is aware of any drug reactions you have experienced, especially to procaine, other local anesthetics, or aspirin.

Procanbid has been known to trigger a disorder similar to lupus erythematosus. Notify your doctor if you develop any of the following lupus-like symptoms: joint pain or inflammation, abdominal or chest pain, fever, chills, muscle pain, skin lesions.

Doses of this medication must be very precise. Different brands of procainamide have different dosing instructions. If your prescription looks different in any way, ask your doctor or pharmacist to check it and make sure it was dispensed correctly.