What is the most important information I should know about quinidine?
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience ringing in the ears, changes in vision,
dizziness, fainting, a rapid heartbeat, headache, nausea, a rash, or difficulty breathing.
Do not skip doses or change your dosing schedule without talking to your doctor. Changing
your schedule could make your condition worse.
Quinidine may be taken with food to lessen stomach upset.
Do not crush, chew, or break any extended- or sustained-release formulations of quinidine.
Swallow them whole. If you are not sure whether you have a long-acting form of quinidine, ask your
pharmacist, nurse, or doctor.
What is quinidine?
Quinidine affects the way that the heart beats.
Quinidine is used to treat irregular heartbeat patterns.
Quinidine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking quinidine?
Before taking quinidine, tell your doctor if you have
You may not be able to take quinidine, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Quinidine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether
quinidine will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your
doctor if you are
pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
Quinidine passes into breast milk. It is not known whether quinidine will affect a nursing
infant. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take quinidine?
Take quinidine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions,
ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of
water.
Quinidine may be taken with food to lessen stomach upset.
Do not crush, chew, or break any extended- or sustained-release formulations of quinidine.
Swallow them whole. If you are not sure whether you have a long-acting form of quinidine, ask your
pharmacist, nurse, or doctor.
Do not skip doses or change your dosing schedule without talking to your doctor. Changing
your schedule could make your condition worse.
It is important to take quinidine regularly to get the most benefit.
Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment
with quinidine to monitor progress and side effects.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with quinidine. The interaction could lead to
potentially adverse effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your
doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking
to your doctor.
Store quinidine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
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