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Tocainide |
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What is Tocainide and why is it prescribed? Tocainide is used to treat severe irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias). Arrhythmias are generally divided into two main types: heartbeats that are faster than normal (tachycardia), or heartbeats that are slower than normal (bradycardia). Irregular heartbeats are often caused by drugs or disease but can occur in otherwise healthy people with no history of heart disease or other illness. Tocainide works differently from other antiarrhythmic drugs, such as quinidine (Quinidex), procainamide (Procan SR), and disopyramide (Norpace). It is similar to lidocaine (Xylocaine) and is effective in treating severe ventricular arrhythmias. Tocainide can cause serious blood and lung disorders in some patients, especially in the first 3 months of treatment. Be sure to notify your doctor if any of the following occurs: painful or difficult breathing, wheezing, cough, easy bruising or bleeding, tremors, palpitations, rash, soreness or ulcers in the mouth, sore throat, fever, and chills. How should you take Tocainide? Follow your doctors directions for taking Tocainide. It is important to take Tocainide on a regular schedule, exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Try not to miss any doses. If this medication is not taken regularly, your condition can worsen. If you miss a dose and less than 2 hours have passed, take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. If you are more than 2 hours late, skip the dose. Never try to "catch up" by taking a double dose. Keep the container tightly closed, and store it at room temperature. Protect Tocainide from extreme heat. Are there any Tocainide side effects? Tocainide side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. More common Tocainide side effects may include confusion/disorientation, dizziness/vertigo, diarrhea/loose stools, excessive sweating, hallucinations, increased irregular heartbeat, lack of coordination, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness, rash/skin eruptions, tingling or pins and needles, tremor, vision disturbances, and vomiting. Less common Tocainide side effects may include arthritis, anxiety, chest pain, congestive heart failure, drowsiness, exhaustion, fatigue, headache, hearing loss, hot/cold feelings, involuntary eyeball movement, joint pain, low blood pressure, muscle pain, pounding heartbeat, rapid heartbeat, ringing in ears, sleepiness, slow heartbeat, sluggishness, unsteadiness, and walking disturbances. Rare Tocainide side effects may include abdominal pain/discomfort, agitation, allergic reactions, anemia, angina, blood clots in lungs, blood disorders, changes in blood counts, changes in heart function, chills, cinchonism (a sensitivity reaction with symptoms including ringing in the ears, loss of hearing, dizziness, light-headedness, headache, nausea, and/or disturbed vision), cold hands and feet, coma, constipation, decreased mental ability, decreased urination, depression, difficulty breathing, difficulty speaking, difficulty sleeping, difficulty swallowing, disturbed behavior, disturbed dreams, dizziness on standing, double vision, dry mouth, earache, enlarged heart, fainting, fever, fluid in lungs, fluid retention, flushing, general bodily discomfort, hair loss, heart attack, hepatitis, hiccups, high blood pressure, hives, increased stuttering, increased urination, lung disorders, memory loss, muscle cramps, muscle twitching/spasm, myasthenia gravis, neck pain or pain extending from the neck, pallor, pneumonia, seizures, skin peeling, slurred speech, smell disturbance, stomach upset, taste disturbance, thirst, weakness, yawning, and yellow eyes and skin. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Tocainide? If Tocainide is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Tocainide with The anesthetic Lidocaine (Xylocaine), The blood pressure medicine Metoprolol (Lopressor), or Other antiarrhythmics (such as Quinidex, Procan, Mexitil). Are there any special warnings about Tocainide? Be alert for signs of the blood and lung disorders that can occur early in your treatment. If you have congestive heart failure, make sure the doctor is aware of it. Tocainide could worsen this condition. Also make certain that the doctor is aware of any kidney or liver problems that you have. You will need to be monitored more carefully. Before any kind of surgery, including dental surgery and emergency treatment, make sure the surgeon knows that you are taking Tocainide. |
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