PROPAFENONE SUMMARY
PROPAFENONE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS
Propafenone hydrochloride is an antiarrhythmic drug. Propafenone has some structural similarities to beta-blocking agents.
In patients without structural heart disease, propafenone is indicated to prolong the time to recurrence of
As with other agents, some patients with atrial flutter treated with propafenone have developed 1:1 conduction, producing an increase in ventricular rate. Concomitant treatment with drugs that increase the functional AV refractory period is recommended.
The use of propafenone in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation has not been evaluated. Propafenone should not be used to control ventricular rate during atrial fibrillation.
Propafenone hydrochloride tablets are also indicated for the treatment of documented ventricular arrhythmias, such as sustained ventricular tachycardia, that, in the judgement of the physician, are life-threatening. Because of the proarrhythmic effects of propafenone, its use with lesser ventricular arrhythmias is not recommended, even if patients are symptomatic, and any use of the drug should be reserved for patients in whom, in the opinion of the physician, the potential benefits outweigh the risks.
Initiation of propafenone treatment, as with other antiarrhythmics used to treat life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, should be carried out in the hospital.
Antiarrhythmic drugs have not been shown to enhance survival in patients with ventricular or atrial arrhythmias.
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