Quinidine sulphate
Trade names: Apo-Quinidine; Biquin Durules;
Cardioquin; Novoquinidin; Quin-Release; Quinaglute Dura-tabs; Quinate; Quinidex
Extentabs.
Class: Antiarrhythmic " class І "
Pregnancy:
(Category C) Action:
v Quinidine works by decreasing the sensitivity of heart muscle
cells to electrical impulses, therefore slowing the electrical conduction in
the heart muscle.
v Quinidine is used to treat two forms of arrhythmia - ventricular
and supraventricular arrhythmias.
Uses:
Irregular heart beats
(arrhythmias)
Use with caution in
Allergic reaction to one of the
active ingredients Dose:
by mouth, quinidine
sulphate 200–400 mg 3–4 times daily Contraindications:
§ Defect of the heart's electrical message pathways resulting in
decreased function of the heart (heart block)
§ This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or
any of its ingredients.
§ Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Side effects:
Rash
Inability of the heart to pump blood
efficiently (heart failure)
Blood disorders
Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhea,
constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
Irregular heart beat (ventricular arrhythmias) Fever (pyrexia) Lupus syndrome
Decreased electrical impulses within the heart
(myocardial depression) Nursing considerations:
A test dose of a single tablet of quinidine
sulfate (200 mg) by mouth should be given initially in order to ascertain any
possible hypersensitivity to quinidine. Hypersensitivity to quinidine, although
rare, should be constantly considered, especially during the first week of
therapy. Continuous ECG monitoring is recommended in
all cases in which quinidine is used in large doses.
Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea and colic may be minimized by giving the drug with food.
