Procainamide
Also known as: Pronestyl, Procan, Procanbid, Biocoryl
* **Administration:** Oral products should be administered at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night to maintain steady blood levels. * **Feeding:** Unless otherwise directed by your veterinarian, give the medication on an empty stomach (at least 1 hour before feeding). * **Monitoring:** Notify your veterinarian immediately if your pet's condition deteriorates or if you notice signs of toxicity such as vomiting, diarrhea, severe lethargy, or weakness.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Chronic management of SVTs
- Chronic management of SVTs
- Chronic management of SVTs
- Atrial fibrillation / Ventricular tachycardia
- Atrial fibrillation / Ventricular tachycardia
- V-Tach
- Ventricular tachyarrhythmias
- Ventricular tachyarrhythmias
- Acute management of SVTs
- Chronic management of SVTs
- Acute treatment of ventricular tachycardia
- Chronic treatment of ventricular tachycardia
- Ventricular tachycardia
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Anorexia
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Hypotension (especially with rapid IV injection)
- Negative inotropism
- Widened QRS complex
- Prolonged QT interval
- AV block
- Multiform ventricular tachycardias
- Fevers
- Leukopenias
Cautions & contraindications
- Myasthenia gravis
- Hypersensitivity to procainamide, procaine, or chemically related drugs
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in humans (unknown in dogs)
- Torsade de pointes
- 2nd or 3rd degree heart block (unless artificially paced)
- Doberman pinschers and boxers with dilated cardiomyopathy (relative - proarrhythmic risk)
- Dogs with subaortic stenosis (relative - proarrhythmic risk)
- Use with **extreme caution** in patients with cardiac glycoside intoxication. Use with caution in patients with significant hepatic or renal disease, or congestive heart failure (CHF). Dosages should usually be reduced in patients with renal failure, CHF, or those who are critically ill. > **Warning:** Profound hypotension can occur if injected too rapidly IV. Do not use in Doberman pinschers and boxers with dilated cardiomyopathy or dogs with subaortic stenosis as it may be proarrhythmic and induce sudden death.
Drug interactions
- Amiodarone: May increase procainamide levels; procainamide dose may need to be reduced
- Anticholinesterase agents (e.g., pyridostigmine, neostigmine): Procainamide may antagonize effects in patients with myasthenia gravis
- Cimetidine: May increase procainamide levels
- Hypotensive drugs: Procainamide may enhance hypotensive effects
- Lidocaine: Toxic effects may be additive, and cardiac effects unpredictable
- Neuromuscular blocking agents: Procainamide may potentiate or prolong the neuromuscular blocking activity
- Quinidine: Toxic effects may be additive, and cardiac effects unpredictable
- Phenytoin: Toxic effects may be additive, and cardiac effects unpredictable
- Propranolol: Toxic effects may be additive, and cardiac effects unpredictable
- Ranitidine: May increase procainamide levels
- Trimethoprim: May increase procainamide levels
Frequently asked questions
What is Procainamide used for in pets?
* **Administration:** Oral products should be administered at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night to maintain steady blood levels. * **Feeding:** Unless otherwise directed by your veterinarian, give the medication on an empty stomach (at least 1 hour before feeding). * **Monitoring:** Notify your veterinarian immediately if your pet's condition deteriorates or if you notice signs of toxicity such as vomiting, diarrhea, severe lethargy, or weakness.
Is Procainamide safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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