Brand Names

How to Use

Take procainamide exactly as directed by your family doctor , even though you may feel well. Do not take more drug than ordered.

Procainamide must be taken with a glass of water on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals so that it will be absorbed more quickly. However, to lessen stomach upset, your family doctor may want you to take the drug with food or milk.

For diseaseds taking the extended-release tablets :

• Swallow the tablet whole without breaking, crushing, or chewing it.

This drug works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. Always it is best to take the doses at evenly spaced times day and night . For example, if you are to take 6 doses a day, the doses must be spaced about 4 hours apart. If this interferes with your sleep or other daily activities, or if you need help in planning the best times to take your drug, check with your health care professional.

Dosage

The number of capsules or tablets that you take depends on the strength of the drug.

• For regular - short-acting oral dosage forms - capsules or tablets:
  • For atrial arrhythmias - fast or irregular heartbeat:
    • Adults 500 milligrams - mg to 1000 mg - 1 gram every four to six hours.
    • Children 12.5 mg per kilogram - 5.68 mg per pound of body weight four times a day.
  • For ventricular arrhythmias - fast or irregular heartbeat:
    • Adults 50 mg per kilogram - 22.73 mg per pound of body weight per day divided into eight doses taken every three hours.
    • Children 12.5 mg per kilogram - 5.68 mg per pound of body weight four times a day.
• For long-acting oral dosage form - extended-release tablets:
  • For atrial arrhythmias - fast or irregular heartbeat:
    • Adults 1000 mg - 1 gram every six hours.
    • Children Use is not recommended.
  • For ventricular arrhythmias - fast or irregular heartbeat:
    • Adults 50 mg per kilogram - 22.73 mg per pound of body weight per day divided into four doses taken every six hours.
• For injection dosage form:
  • For arrhythmias - fast or irregular heartbeat:
    • Adults
      • First few doses : May be given intramuscularly - into the muscle at 50 mg per kilogram - 22.73 mg per pound of body weight per day in divided doses every three hours; or may be given intravenously - into the vein by slowly injecting 100 mg - mixed in fluid every five minutes or infusing 500 to 600 mg - mixed in fluid over a twenty-five to thirty minute period.
      • Doses after the first few doses : 2 to 6 mg - mixed in fluid per minute infusing into the vein.
    • Children Dose must be determined by your family doctor.

Missed dose If you miss a dose of this drug and remember within 2 hours - 4 hours if you are taking the long-acting tablets, take it as soon as possible. However, if you do not remember until later, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage To store this drug:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, refrigerator, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Moisture usually present in these areas may cause the drug to break down. Keep the container tightly closed and store in a dry place.
• Do not keep outdated drug or drug no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded drug is out of the reach of children.