Before taking quinidine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to quinine; or if you have any other allergies.
Quinidine Gluconate should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: certain types of heart disease (e.g., incomplete or complete heart block without an artificial pacemaker, torsades-type irregular heartbeats, QT prolongation in the EKG, severe heart failure, digitalis toxicity), very low blood pressure, history of easy bruising/bleeding (thrombocytopenic purpura) with use of quinine or quinidine, severe muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis).
Before using Quinidine Gluconate, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, a certain blood disorder (G6PD deficiency), asthma, current infection with fever, very slow heartbeat, low blood potassium/magnesium, family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death).
Quinidine Gluconate may make you dizzy. Use caution while driving, using machinery, or doing any activity that requires alertness. Limit alcoholic beverages.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor that you are using Quinidine Gluconate.
Kidney function declines as you grow older. Quinidine Gluconate is removed by the kidneys. Therefore, elderly people may be at greater risk for serious side effects (such as dizziness) while using Quinidine Gluconate.
During pregnancy, Quinidine Gluconate should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Quinidine Gluconate passes into breast milk. Due to the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using Quinidine Gluconate is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Before starting Quinidine Gluconate, the manufacturer recommends that you take a test dose (usually a smaller amount than your regular dose) to determine whether you are allergic to it. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.
Take Quinidine Gluconate by mouth with or without food with a full glass of liquid (8 ounces/240 milliliters) as directed by your doctor. Quinidine Gluconate is best taken on an empty stomach, but taking it with food may help decrease stomach upset. Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking Quinidine Gluconate.
If you are taking a long-acting (extended-release) form of quinidine called Quinidine Gluconate, you should swallow it whole. Do not crush or chew the tablets. Doing so can destroy the long action of the drug and may increase side effects. Some long-acting tablets can be broken in half, so ask your pharmacist whether your brand may be broken.
There are different brands and forms of Quinidine Gluconate available. Not all have identical effects. Do not change quinidine products without talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
Dosage of Quinidine Gluconate is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. If you are taking regular-release quinidine for an irregular heartbeat, the manufacturer recommends that you take no more than 4 grams daily.
Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice may increase the amount of certain medications in your bloodstream, including quinidine. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Avoid large changes in your dietary salt intake while being treated with Quinidine Gluconate unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. The amount of salt in your diet may affect the amount of quinidine absorbed by your system. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Use Quinidine Gluconate regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain/cramps, or a burning feeling in throat or chest (e.g., heartburn) may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Quinidine Gluconate because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Quinidine Gluconate do not have serious side effects.
Seek immediate medical attention if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: severe dizziness, fainting, sudden change in heartbeat (faster/slower/more irregular).
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: vision changes, eye pain, muscle pain, unusual sweating or shakiness (signs of low blood sugar).
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: unexplained fever/signs of infection (e.g., persistent sore throat), easy bruising/bleeding, extreme tiredness, dark urine, persistent nausea/vomiting, yellowing eyes/skin, lupus-like symptoms (joint/muscle pain, chest pain, change in the amount of urine).
A very serious allergic reaction to Quinidine Gluconate is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
One type of reaction (cinchonism) can occur after even a single dose of Quinidine Gluconate. Contact your doctor of pharmacist promptly if you notice symptoms such as ringing in the ears, sudden hearing problems, headache, blurred vision, confusion. Your dosage may need to be adjusted.
Certain long-acting brands of quinidine may appear as a whole tablet in the stool. This is the empty shell left after the medicine has been absorbed by the body. It is harmless.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Click HERE to learn more about Quinidine Gluconate side effects.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
If you miss a dose of Quinidine Gluconate, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first. See also How to Use section.
Quinidine Gluconate should not be used with the following medications because very serious (possibly fatal) interactions may occur: certain HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir), azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole), propafenone, cisapride, arbutamine, mefloquine, drugs that may affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolonging drugs such as amiodarone, sparfloxacin, grepafloxacin, disopyramide, dofetilide, ibutilide, halofantrine, pimozide, droperidol, levomethadyl, bepridil).
If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting quinidine.
Other drugs besides quinidine and those listed above that may affect the heart rhythm (QT prolongation in the EKG) include sotalol, ziprasidone, mesoridazine, and thioridazine, among others. Before using quinidine, report all medications you are currently using to your doctor or pharmacist. QT prolongation can infrequently result in serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (e.g., severe dizziness, fainting) that require immediate medical attention. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details and for instructions on how you may reduce the risk of this effect.
Before using Quinidine Gluconate, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially: large amounts of antacids (e.g., sodium bicarbonate), barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital), carbamazepine, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin, rifabutin), phenytoin, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., acetazolamide), aripiprazole, atomoxetine, codeine, hydrocodone, loperamide, medication for high blood pressure (e.g., nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem), certain macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, clarithromycin), quinupristin/dalfopristin, etravirine, amprenavir/fosamprenavir, certain "water pills" (potassium-wasting diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide).
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.