Quinidine is an antiarrhythmic drug used to treat various types of heart rhythm disorders or arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation and atrial fibrillation. atrial flutter. Quinidine belongs to the group of hard drugs and can only be obtained with a doctor's prescription.
This drug works by blocking the flow of irregular heartbeat signals and increasing the heart's ability to work normally. In certain cases, quinidine can also be used to stop the development of parasites in the body in malaria.
quinidine trademarks: -
What's that Quinidine?
| group | Antiarrhythmic |
| Category | Prescription drugs |
| Benefit | Treating heart rhythm disorders and malaria |
| Used by | Adults and children |
| Quinidine for pregnant and lactating women | Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. The drug should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. Quinidine is absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Tablets and injections |
Warnings Before Using Quinidine:
- Do not use quinidine if you have a history of allergies to this drug or to quinine.
- Do not use quinidine if you have a heart problem, such as: AV block, myasthenia gravis, or have experienced bleeding from previous use of quinidine.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of heart disease, kidney disease, G6PD enzyme deficiency, liver disease, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, Marfan syndrome, or asthma.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking diuretics, heart disease medications, anticoagulants, antidepressants, codeine, antihypertensives, anticonvulsants, and vitamins and herbal remedies.
- Do not drive a motor vehicle or control heavy equipment while taking quinidine. This medicine may cause dizziness.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking quinidine before having surgery or other medical procedures.
- See your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction or overdose after using quinidine.
Dosage and Directions for Use of Quinidine
The doctor will adjust the dose of quinidine according to the age, condition, severity of the condition, and the patient's response to this drug. The following are generally recommended doses for tablet form of quinidine:
- Premature atrial and ventricular contractions
Mature: 200–300 mg 3-4 times a day
- atrial fibrillation
Mature: 300–400 mg 4 times a day
- Supraventricular tachycardia
Mature: 400–600 mg every 2–3 hours until heart rhythm is normal
- Uncomplicated falciparum malaria
Adults and children: 300–600 mg 3 times daily for 5–7 days
For those who require treatment using injectable quinidine, the dose will be adjusted by the doctor according to the patient's condition at the hospital. Injectable drugs should only be given by a doctor or medical officer under the supervision of a doctor.
How to Use Quinidinecorrectly
Follow the doctor's advice in taking quinidine. Read the instructions for using the drug before using the drug. Do not change the dose or time of use of the drug without consulting your doctor first.
Continue taking quinidine even if you feel better. Do not stop using the drug suddenly without consulting your doctor first because it can cause fatal side effects.
You are advised to take quinidine before meals. But if you have heartburn, the medicine can be taken with meals. Do not lie down immediately after taking quinidine, wait at least 10 minutes.
Avoid consuming grapefruit and alcoholic beverages while on quinidine to avoid interactions with the drug. Avoid sudden changes in salt intake, as this will affect drug absorption.
Consult your doctor first if you want to smoke or consume caffeinated beverages while taking quinidine. Cigarettes and caffeine can interfere with the work of the heart and inhibit the effectiveness of quinidine.
If you forget to take quinidine, it is advisable to do it immediately if the break with the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the dose.
Store quinidine in a closed place at room temperature and away from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. Keep out of reach of children.
Quinidine Interactions with Other Drugs and Ingredients
The following are some of the risks of drug interactions that may occur if you use quinidine at the same time as certain medicines, including:
- Increased risk of side effects of digoxin, procainamide, phenothiazines, haloperidol, aliskiren, codeine, mefloquine, doxepine, amitriptyline, and tricyclic antidepressants (eg desipramine and imipramine)
- Increased risk of quinidine side effects if used with cimetidine, amiodarone, ketoconazole, warfarin
- Decreased effectiveness of quinidine, when used with phenobarbital, phenytoin, propranolol, ditiazem, rifampicin, nifedipine, and verapamil
- Decreased effectiveness of codeine and hydrocodone
Taking quinidine with grapefruit or alcoholic beverages can increase the risk of side effects of quinidine, such as dizziness. If used with cigarettes or caffeinated beverages, it can decrease the effectiveness of quinidine.
Quinidine Side Effects and Dangers
The following are some of the side effects that can be felt after using quinidine:
- Nauseous
- Throw up
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- bloating
- Stomach pain to cramps
- Headache
- Dizzy
- Easy to feel tired and weak
- Blurred or double vision
- Hard to sleep
- Tremor
- Rash on the skin
See your doctor right away if these side effects don't go away for a long time, or if you experience more serious side effects, such as:
- Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- Hypotension
- Faint
- Chest pain
- Muscles feel sore to inflamed
- Tinnitus or hearing loss
- Vertigo
- daze
- Bleeding
It is also necessary to see a doctor if an allergic reaction occurs, which includes a rash on the skin, swelling of the throat or tongue, and difficulty breathing.
