Rythmol

Special warnings about Rythmol

If you have congestive heart failure, this condition must be brought under full medical control before you start taking Rythmol.

If you have a pacemaker, the pacemaker's settings must be monitored--and possibly reprogrammed--while you are taking Rythmol.

There is some risk that Rythmol may interfere with your body's normal ability to manufacture blood cells. Too few white blood cells may cause signs and symptoms that mimic infection. If you experience fever, chills, or sore throat while taking Rythmol--especially during the first 3 months of treatment--notify your doctor right away.

Rythmol may cause a lupus-like illness characterized by rashes and arthritic symptoms. If you have been taking Rythmol and testing shows that your blood contains ANA (antinuclear antibodies), your doctor may want to discontinue the medication.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Rythmol

If Rythmol is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Rythmol with the following:

Beta blockers such as Inderal and Lopressor
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Local anesthetics (such as Novocain used during dental work)
Quinidine (Cardioquin)
Rifampin (Rifadin)
Theophylline (Theo-Dur, Uni-Dur)
Warfarin (blood thinners such as Coumadin)

There may be certain other psychiatric, antidepressant, antifungal, or antibiotic drugs that could possibly cause a reaction if combined with Rythmol. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any of these types of medications.

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Because of a possible risk of birth defects, Rythmol is not recommended during pregnancy unless the benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the unborn baby.

It is not known whether Rythmol appears in breast milk. You are advised not to take Rythmol if you are nursing a baby. If treatment with Rythmol is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you to stop breastfeeding until your treatment is finished.