Quinidine extended-release tablets

What is this medicine?

QUINIDINE (KWIN i deen) is an antiarrhythmic drug. It helps make your heart beat regularly. This medicine also helps to slow rapid heartbeats.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. The tablets may be broken in half, but should not be crushed or chewed. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly. This may cause serious, heart-related side effects. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take. If your doctor wants you to stop the medicine, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• breathing problems

• changes in vision

• confusion

• feeling faint or lightheaded

• fever

• headache

• irregular heartbeat

• nausea, vomiting

• pain on swallowing

• skin rash, peeling or loose skin

• ringing in the ears

• unusual bruising or bleeding

• unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea

• flushing of the skin with intense itching

• heartburn

• loss of appetite

• stomach pain

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• abarelix

• amiloride

• amoxapine

• apomorphine

• arsenic trioxide

• certain antifungal medicines like itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole

• certain quinolone antibiotics

• cisapride

• droperidol

• haloperidol

• hawthorn

• levomethadyl

• maprotiline

• medicines for malaria like chloroquine and halofantrine

• medicines for mental depression such as tricyclic antidepressants

• mefloquine

• methadone

• other medicines to control heart rhythm

• pentamidine

• phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, thioridazine

• pimozide

• ranolazine

• sertindole

• vardenafil

• voriconazole

• ziprasidone

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• acetazolamide

• antacids

• barbiturates, like phenobarbital

• cimetidine

• diuretics

• medicines for high blood pressure or angina

• medicines for surgery that relax muscles or block pain

• methazolamide

• phenytoin

• prescription pain medicines like codeine and hydrocodone

• rifampin

• sodium bicarbonate

• warfarin

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• heart disease or previous heart attack

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• lung or breathing disease, like asthma

• low blood pressure

• myasthenia gravis

• you have a pacemaker

• an unusual or allergic reaction to quinidine, quinine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Wear a medical ID bracelet or chain, and carry a card that describes your disease and details of your medicine and dosage times.

Check your blood pressure and pulse rate regularly. Ask your health care professional what your blood pressure and pulse rate should be, and when you should contact him or her. Your doctor or health care professional also may schedule regular blood tests and electrocardiograms to check your progress.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.