Rythmol

Pronunciation: proe-PA-fen-one
Generic Name: Propafenone
Brand Name: Rythmol

Rythmol has not been shown to improve the rate of survival in patients with an abnormal heart rhythm. For this reason, Rythmol should only be used for certain life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Rythmol.

Rythmol is used for:

Treating certain types of life-threatening irregular heartbeat (ventricular arrhythmias). It is also used to help maintain a normal heart rhythm in certain patients who have certain types of irregular heartbeat (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation/flutter [PAF], paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia [PSVT]).

Rythmol is a class 1C antiarrhythmic medicine. It works in the heart to stabilize its action and regulate heartbeat.

Do NOT use Rythmol if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Rythmol


• you have uncontrolled congestive heart failure, shock caused by severe heart problems, slow heartbeat, very low blood pressure, abnormal blood electrolyte levels, or certain breathing problems (eg, chronic bronchitis or emphysema)


• you have certain types of irregular heartbeat (eg, sick sinus syndrome, heart block) and you do not have a permanent pacemaker


• you are taking another antiarrhythmic (eg, amiodarone, quinidine), cisapride, an HIV protease inhibitor (eg, ritonavir), halofantrine, a ketolide (eg, telithromycin), a macrolide antibiotic (eg, erythromycin), nilotinib, pimozide, a quinolone antibiotic (eg, ciprofloxacin), tetrabenazine, toremifene, vandetanib, or ziprasidone

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Rythmol:

Some medical conditions may interact with Rythmol. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have kidney or liver problems, lung or breathing problems, lupus, or myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness)


• if you have a certain abnormal blood test (antinuclear antibody [ANA] test)


• if you use an artificial pacemaker or if you smoke tobacco


• if you have low blood pressure or a history of an irregular heartbeat (eg, widening of the QRS complex, atrioventricular [AV] block, ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation), a heart attack, or other heart problems (eg, coronary artery disease, heart failure)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Rythmol. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, quinidine), arsenic, astemizole, bepridil, chloroquine, cisapride, domperidone, droperidol, halofantrine, haloperidol, iloperidone, ketolides (eg, telithromycin), macrolide antibiotics (eg, erythromycin), maprotiline, methadone, nilotinib, pentamidine, phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), pimozide, quinolone antibiotics (eg, ciprofloxacin), romidepsin, serotonin receptor antagonist antiemetics (eg, dolasetron), tacrolimus, terfenadine, tetrabenazine, toremifene, tricyclic antidepressants (eg, desipramine, imipramine), tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitors (eg, dasatinib), vandetanib, or ziprasidone because the risk of serious side effects, such as abnormal heart rhythms, may be increased


• Abiraterone, azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), cimetidine, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir, saquinavir), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline), or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (eg, duloxetine, venlafaxine) because they may increase the risk of Rythmol's side effects


• Orlistat or rifamycins (eg, rifampin) because they may decrease Rythmol's effectiveness


• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), digoxin, or lidocaine because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Rythmol

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Rythmol may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Rythmol:

Use Rythmol as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Rythmol by mouth with or without food.


• Take each dose at the same time with respect to meals.


• Take Rythmol on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Do not miss any doses.


• Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice may affect the amount of Rythmol in your blood. Talk with your doctor before including grapefruit or grapefruit juice in your diet.


• If you miss a dose of Rythmol, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Rythmol.

Important safety information:

• Rythmol may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Rythmol with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Rythmol may affect how artificial pacemakers work. Pacemakers should be monitored and programmed accordingly during therapy.


• If severe or persistent vomiting, sweating, loss of appetite or thirst, or diarrhea occurs, you will need to take care not to become dehydrated. Contact your doctor for instructions.


• Rythmol may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection, like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Rythmol before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Rythmol may decrease sperm counts in men. This could affect the ability to father a child. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.


• Rythmol may interfere with certain lab tests, including ANA titers. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Rythmol.


• Lab tests, including electrocardiographic tests, white blood cell counts, and electrolyte levels, may be performed while you use Rythmol. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Rythmol should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Rythmol while you are pregnant. Rythmol is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Rythmol.

Possible side effects of Rythmol:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Change in taste; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; gas; headache; light-headedness; nausea; tiredness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry stools; blood in the urine; burning, numbness, or tingling; chest pain; confusion; change in the amount of urine produced or painful urination; fainting; fast or slow heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; hearing problems; loss of appetite; mental or mood problems (eg, anxiety, depression); muscle weakness; new or worsened irregular heartbeat; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; pain, swelling, or redness of the calf or legs; ringing in the ears; severe or persistent dizziness, tiredness, or weakness; severe stomach or back pain; shortness of breath; slurred speech; sudden, severe headache; sudden weight gain; swelling of the hands or feet; tremor; trouble sleeping; unusual bruising or bleeding; vomiting; vision problems (eg, blurred vision); wheezing.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Rythmol side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; irregular or slow heartbeat; seizures; severe dizziness or drowsiness.

Proper storage of Rythmol:

Store Rythmol at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly closed container. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Rythmol out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Rythmol, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Rythmol is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Rythmol. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Rythmol resources

• Rythmol Side Effects (in more detail)
• Rythmol Dosage
• Rythmol Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Rythmol Drug Interactions
• Rythmol Support Group
• 3 Reviews for Rythmol - Add your own review/rating

• Rythmol Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Rythmol Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Rythmol Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Rythmol Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Propafenone Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Propafenone Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Rythmol SR Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare Rythmol with other medications

• Atrial Fibrillation
• Atrial Flutter
• Ventricular Tachycardia
• Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome