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Indication & Dosage |
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| Oral |
| PAROXYSMAL ATRIAL FIBRILLATION/FLUTTER (PAF) |
Adult:
Adult: Initially, 150 mg given every 8 hr (450 mg/day), may increase at 3-4 day intervals to a max of 300 mg every 8 hr. Max dose: 900 mg/day. Dose reduction is recommended in patients weighing <70 kg.
Elderly: Dose reduction is recommended. |
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| Oral |
| PAROXYSMAL SUPRAVENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA (PSVT) ASSOCIATED WITH DISABLING SYMPTOMS |
| Adult:
Initially, 150 mg given every 8 hr (450 mg/day), may increase at 3-4 day intervals to a max of 300 mg every 8 hr. Max dose: 900 mg/day. Dose reduction is recommended in patients weighing <70 kg.
Elderly: Dose reduction is recommended. |
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| Administration |
Should be taken with food. (Take after meals. Swallow whole, do not chew/crush.) |
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| Precautions |
Severe pulmonary obstructive diseases, CHF, cardiac pacemaker, impaired renal/hepatic function, pregnancy, lactation, elderly. Correct electrolyte disturbances before starting treatment. May worsen heart failure in patients with preexisting organic heart disease. May worsen or cause new severe ventricular arrhythmias e.g. ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. May aggravate electrically induced ventricular tachycardia in some patients. |
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Potentially Life-threatening
Adverse Drug Reactions |
Dizziness, headache, visual disturbances, vertigo, dry mouth, GI disturbances, alteration in taste, allergic skin rashes, leucopenia, bradycardia and bitter or metallic taste. |
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| Adverse Drug Reactions |
SA/AV or intraventricular blocks. Severe hypotension, especially in elderly. |
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| Interactions |
Increased digoxin plasma levels. Potentiates anticoagulant effects of warfarin. Reduced plasma levels when used with enzyme inducers e.g. rifampicin. Increased plasma levels when used with enzyme inhibitors e.g. cimetidine, fluoxetine, quinidine and HIV protease inhibitors. Absorption is reduced by orlistat. Increased risk of arrhythmias when used with antiarrhythmics/arrhythmogenic drugs. Increased serum levels of theophylline, metoprolol and propanolol when used concurrently. Increased risk of bradycardia and heart block when used with b-blockers. |
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