procainamide
Last reviewed 01/2018
Procainamide is used in the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias, particularly after myocardial infarction, and of atrial arrhythmias.
Caution is needed when prescribing in the elderly, or patients with hepatic or renal impairment, in asthma and myasthenia gravis.
Contraindications include heart block and heart failure.
Side effects include nausea, diarrhoea, rashes, fever, myocardial depression, heart failure, an SLE like syndrome, and, after prolonged treatment, agranulocytosis.