What is quinidine?
Quinidine affects the way that the heart beats.
Quinidine is used to help keep the heart beating normally in people with certain heart rhythm disorders.
Quinidine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about quinidine?
You should not take this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to quinidine or quinine (Qualaquin), including easy bruising or unusual bleeding. You should not take quinidine if you have myasthenia gravis or certain heart conditions, especially "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker).
Before you take quinidine, tell your doctor if you have a slow heart rate, congestive heart failure, a serious heart condition such as "sick sinus syndrome," kidney or liver disease, low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood, a history of "Long QT syndrome," if you are on a low-salt diet, or if you have ever had an abnormal electrocardiogram or ECG (sometimes called an EKG).
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using quinidine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Ask your doctor how to adjust your quinidine dose if needed. Do not change your medication dose or schedule without your doctor's advice.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as: vomiting and diarrhea, ringing in the ears, hearing loss, severe dizziness, changes in vision, pain behind your eyes, white patches or cloudiness in your eyes, pale or yellowed skin, dark urine, easy bruising or bleeding, wheezing, trouble breathing, or a new or a worsening irregular heartbeat pattern.
There are many other drugs that can interact with quinidine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking quinidine?
You should not take this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to quinidine or quinine (Qualaquin), including easy bruising or unusual bleeding. You should not take quinidine if you have myasthenia gravis or certain heart conditions, especially "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker).
To make sure you can safely take quinidine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
slow heart rate;
congestive heart failure;
a serious heart condition such as "sick sinus syndrome";
kidney disease;
liver disease;
low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood;
a history of "Long QT syndrome";
if you are on a low-salt diet; or
if you have ever had an abnormal electrocardiogram or ECG (sometimes called an EKG).
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether quinidine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
Quinidine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.