Tocainide Description

Generic Name : TOCAINIDE

Pronunciation : (toe kay' nide)

Trade Name(s) : Tocolol, Tocain, Mexitil

Why it is prescribed: Tocainide is used to treat and prevent irregular heartbeats i.e., arrhythmias. It acts on the heart muscle to improve the heart's rhythm.

When it is to be taken: Tocainide is usually taken three times a day, every eight hours. Tocainide must be taken on a regular schedule, as prescribed by your doctor.Follow the instructions on your prescription label.

How it should be taken: Tocainide comes in the form of tablets. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose.

Special Instruction :
1. Your doctor will want to evaluate the effectiveness of this medication with physical examinations, ECG tests, and blood tests. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your dose may have to be adjusted, depending on your response.
2. If your condition worsens, contact your doctor immediately.
3. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if you are more than two hours late, omit the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Side Effects :
1. Nausea, lightheadedness, dizziness. Take tocainide with food.
2. Vomiting, diarrhea, tingling, numbness, nervousness, restlessness confusion, hallucinations, headache, blurred vision, incoordination, rash, sweating, muscle aches. Contact your doctor if these effects persist or are severe.
3. Tremor. Contact your doctor; it may be necessary to adjust your dosage.
4. Palpitations; chest pain; fast, irregular heartbeats; swelling of the feet and ankles; sudden weight gain; difficulty breathing, wheezing, and cough, especially on exertion; unusual bleeding or bruising; fever, sore throat, and chills. Stop taking tocainide and contact your doctor immediately.

Other Precautions :
1. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should inform their doctors.
2. Tell your doctor if you have heart disease, congestive heart failure, lung disease, liver disease, liver disease, or kidney disease.
3. Tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, especially potassium supplements, phenytoin, other medication for irregular heartbeats, beta blockers, diuretics, and anticoagulants.

Storage Conditions : Keep tocainide in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the rech of children. Protect it from light.