# Propafenone ## Basics [Webmd](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-8838-4070/propafenone-oral/propafenone-oral/details) aka: Propafenone HCL Brand Names: Rythmol Class: [[Antiarrhythmic]] Control: Take by: mouth Forms: - capsule, extended release - tablet When starting treatment with this drug, your doctor may recommend that you stay in the hospital for proper monitoring and emergency medical treatment if needed ## Used for irregular heartbeats such as: - paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia - atrial fibrillation - [[Ventricular Tachycardia]] ### Dosage - For atrial fibrillation (AF): - For oral dosage form (extended-release capsules): - Adults—At first, 225 milligrams (mg) every 12 hours. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 425 mg every 12 hours. - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. - For oral dosage form (tablets): - Adults—150 milligrams (mg) every 8 hours. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. ## How it Works It works by blocking the activity of certain electrical signals in the heart that can cause an irregular heartbeat. It works directly on the heart tissue and will slow the nerve impulses in the heart. ## Side Effects Dizziness, headache, metallic/salty taste in the mouth (more common), nausea/vomiting, constipation, anxiety, and tiredness may occur. serious side effects, including: signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, high fever, severe chills, weakness), signs of liver problems (such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine), worsening symptoms of heart failure (such as shortness of breath, swelling ankles/feet, unusual tiredness, unusual/sudden weight gain). very serious side effects, including: fainting, faster/more irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness. very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away. ## Interactions Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medication unless your doctor or pharmacist says you may do so safely. Grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects with this medicine. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: breathing problems (such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema), kidney problems, liver problems, myasthenia gravis, a certain inherited heart condition (Brugada Syndrome). <details> <summary>Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended: </summary> - Bepridil - Cisapride - Dronedarone - Fluconazole - Ketoconazole - Levoketoconazole - Levomethadyl - Mesoridazine - Nelfinavir - Nirmatrelvir - Pimozide - Piperaquine - Posaconazole - Ritonavir - Saquinavir - Sparfloxacin - Terfenadine - Thioridazine - Tipranavir - Vernakalant - Ziprasidone </details> <details> <summary>Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases: </summary> - Abiraterone Acetate - Acecainide - Adagrasib - Ajmaline - Alfuzosin - Amiodarone - Amisulpride - Amitriptyline - Amoxapine - Anagrelide - Apomorphine - Aprindine - Aripiprazole - Aripiprazole Lauroxil - Arsenic Trioxide - Artemether - Asenapine - Astemizole - Atazanavir - Azimilide - Azithromycin - Boceprevir - Bretylium - Buprenorphine - Bupropion - Buserelin - Ceritinib - Chloral Hydrate - Chloroquine - Chlorpromazine - Ciprofloxacin - Citalopram - Clarithromycin - Clofazimine - Clomipramine - Clothiapine - Clozapine - Cobicistat - Crizotinib - Dabrafenib - Darunavir - Dasabuvir - Dasatinib - Degarelix - Delamanid - Delavirdine - Desipramine - Deslorelin - Desvenlafaxine - Deutetrabenazine - Dexmedetomidine - Dibenzepin - Digoxin - Disopyramide - Dofetilide - Dolasetron - Domperidone - Donepezil - Droperidol - Duloxetine - Efavirenz - Encorafenib - Enflurane - Entrectinib - Erythromycin - Escitalopram - Etravirine - Fedratinib - Fexinidazole - Fingolimod - Flecainide - Fluoxetine - Formoterol - Foscarnet - Fostemsavir - Gatifloxacin - Gemifloxacin - Glasdegib - Gonadorelin - Goserelin - Granisetron - Halofantrine - Haloperidol - Halothane - Histrelin - Hydroquinidine - Hydroxychloroquine - Hydroxyzine - Ibutilide - Iloperidone - Imipramine - Inotuzumab Ozogamicin - Isoflurane - Isradipine - Ivabradine - Ivosidenib - Lacosamide - Lapatinib - Lefamulin - Lenvatinib - Leuprolide - Levofloxacin - Lidocaine - Lidoflazine - Lofexidine - Lopinavir - Lorcainide - Lumefantrine - Macimorelin - Mefloquine - Methadone - Metronidazole - Mifepristone - Mirabegron - Mirtazapine - Mobocertinib - Moxifloxacin - Nafarelin - Nilotinib - Norfloxacin - Nortriptyline - Octreotide - Ombitasvir - Ondansetron - Osilodrostat - Osimertinib - Oxaliplatin - Ozanimod - Pacritinib - Paliperidone - Panobinostat - Paritaprevir - Paroxetine - Pasireotide - Pazopanib - Pentamidine - Phenobarbital - Pimavanserin - Pirmenol - Pitolisant - Ponesimod - Prajmaline - Prilocaine - Primidone - Probucol - Procainamide - Prochlorperazine - Promethazine - Protriptyline - Quetiapine - Quinidine - Quinine - Quizartinib - Ranolazine - Relugolix - Ribociclib - Risperidone - Selpercatinib - Sematilide - Sertindole - Sertraline - Sevoflurane - Simeprevir - Siponimod - Sodium Phosphate - Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic - Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic - Solifenacin - Sorafenib - Sotalol - Spiramycin - Sulfamethoxazole - Sulpiride - Sultopride - Sunitinib - Tacrolimus - Tedisamil - Telaprevir - Telithromycin - Tetrabenazine - Tizanidine - Toremifene - Trazodone - Triclabendazole - Trifluoperazine - Trimethoprim - Trimipramine - Triptorelin - Vandetanib - Vardenafil - Vemurafenib - Venlafaxine - Vilanterol - Vinflunine - Voclosporin - Voriconazole - Zolmitriptan - Zotepine - Zuclopenthixol </details> <details> <summary> Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. </summary> - Cyclosporine - Metoprolol - Rifampin - Rifapentine - Theophylline - Tolterodine - Warfarin </details> <details> <summary>other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine: </summary> - Asthma or - Bronchitis or - Emphysema—Propafenone can increase trouble in breathing. - AV block (type of abnormal heart rhythm), with no pacemaker or - Bradycardia (slow heartbeat) or - Breathing problems or lung disease (eg, bronchospasm, severe obstructive pulmonary disease) or - Brugada syndrome (a genetic heart rhythm disorder) or - Cardiogenic shock (shock caused by heart attack) or - Heart failure or - Hypotension (low blood pressure) or - Mineral imbalance or - Sick sinus node syndrome (type of abnormal heart rhythm), with no pacemaker—Should not be used in patients with these conditions. - Blood or bone marrow problems (eg, agranulocytosis, granulocytopenia) or - Coronary artery disease or - Heart rhythm problems (eg, QT prolongation) or - Myasthenia gravis (severe muscle weakness) or - Torsade de pointes or - Ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse. - Kidney disease or - Liver disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body. - If you have a permanent pacemaker—Use with caution. Propafenone may interfere with the pacemaker and require more careful follow-up by the doctor. </details> %% ## Personal History %% %% ## Reviews/Feedback %% ## Resources [Mayo Clinic](https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/propafenone-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20065687?p=1)