Pronestyl (Procainamide) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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May 26, 2012

Pronestyl

Abnormal Heart Rhythms (Heart Rhythm Disorders) »

How does the heart work?

The heart is a two stage electric pump whose job it is to circulate blood through the body. There is a group of cells that serve as an automatic pacemaker located in the atrium that generates an electrical current that spreads to the heart muscle cells to generate a coordinated squeeze, so that the pump can function.

The heart has four chambers, the right and left atria (singular= atrium) and the right and left ventricles. The right side of the heart pumps blood to the lungs while the left side pumps it to the rest of the body.

Blood from the body is collected in the right atrium and is pushed into the right ventricle with a small beat of the upper chamber of the heart. The right ventricle then pumps the blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen. They oxygen-rich blood returns to the left atrium where the small atrial beat pushes it to the left ventricle. The left ventricle is much thicker than the right because it needs t...

Read the Abnormal Heart Rhythms (Heart Rhythm Disorders) article »

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Pronestyl

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Please Note: This Brand Name drug is no longer available in the US.
(Generic versions may still be available.)

PRONESTYL
(procainamide hydrochloride) Capsule, Gelatin Coated

PRONESTYL
(procainamide hydrochloride) Tablet, Film Coated

WARNING

The prolonged administration of procainamide often leads to the development of a positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) test, with or without symptoms of a lupus erythematosus-like syndrome. If a positive ANA titer develops, the benefits versus risks of continued procainamide therapy should be assessed.

DRUG DESCRIPTION

PRONESTYL (procainamide hydrochloride), a Group 1A cardiac antiarrhythmic drug, is p-amino-N-{2-(diethylamino)ethyl}-benzamide monohydrochloride, molecular weight 271.79; its graphic formula is:

PRONESTYL (procainamide hydrochloride) Structural Formula Illustration

What are the possible side effects of procainamide injection (Procan SR, Procanbid, Pronestyl, Pronestyl-SR)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

a new or a worsening irregular heartbeat pattern;
chest pain, wheezing, trouble breathing;
feeling like you might pass out;
signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, easy bruising or bleeding...

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Pronestyl »

What are the precautions when taking procainamide (Pronestyl)?

Before taking procainamide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to local anesthetics (e.g., procaine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: certain heart problems (second- or third-degree atrioventricular block or bundle branch block unless you have a heart pacemaker), a certain immune problem (lupus).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: first-degree atrioventricular block, new or recent heart attack,...

Read All Potential Precautions of Pronestyl »

*(locus for acetylation to N-acetylprocainamide)

It differs from procaine which is the p-aminobenzoyl ester of 2-(diethylamino)-ethanol. Procainamide as the free base has a pK_a of 9.23; the monohydrochloride is very soluble in water. PRONESTYL (procainamide hydrochloride) is supplied for oral administration as capsules and tablets in potencies of 250, 375, and 500 mg.

Inactive ingredients: Tablets—calcium silicate, microcrystalline cellulose, colorants (FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine) and Yellow No. 6), flavor, povidone, pregelatinized starch, stearic acid, and other ingredients.

Capsules—colorants (D&C Yellow No. 10, except 375 mg; FD&C Yellow No. 6), gelatin, lactose (except 500 mg); magnesium stearate, talc, and titanium dioxide.