User:Mr. Ibrahem/Procainamide

Procainamide is a medication of the antiarrhythmic type. It is used to treat heart arrhythmias including ventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation when people are otherwise stable. Other uses have included malignant hyperthermia. It is generally given by injection into a vein or muscle. Onset is generally within 30 minutes.

Common side effects include low blood pressure, itchiness, fever, and angioedema. Other side effects effects may include bone marrow suppression and arrhythmias. It is believed to be safe in the later part of pregnancy. Use during breastfeeding is not recommended. It is classified as a Ia Vaughan Williams antiarrhythmic. How it works is not entirely clear by may involve sodium channel blocking in heart muscle cells.

Procainamide was approved for medical use in the United States in 1950. It is available as a generic medication. In the United Kingdom it is only available by special order.