Yashoda Hospitals > Medicine FAQS > Quinidine

Quinidine: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What is Quinidine?

Quinidine is used to treat certain types of heartbeats that are irregular. This drug belongs to a class of drugs that are called antiarrhythmic medications. Quinidine works by making the heart strong and more resistant to any kind of abnormal activity that takes place.

What are the Uses of Quinidine?

Quinidine is an extended-release, long-lasting drug to treat different types of arrhythmia. It is given orally, every 6 hours. The extended-release tablets can be taken once every 8 hours. Because these are strong drugs, it is advisable to take the drug at the same time every day as prescribed by the doctor.

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    What are the Side Effects of Quinidine?

    Quinidine may cause some side effects such as:

    • Diarrhea
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
    • Heartburn
    • Headache
    • Fatigue
    • Weakness
    • Dizziness

    Call your doctor if you face any of these symptoms or some other unusual symptoms that do not feel normal. Extreme symptoms such as loss of vision, ringing in the ears, confusion, or bleeding are dangerous and must be reported to the doctor immediately.

    What is Quinidine

    Uses of Quinidine

    Side effects of Quinidine

    References

    Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.

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    Frequently Asked Questions about Quinidine

    Quinidine does not cause hypothermia. On the contrary, it is effective in combating hypothermia-induced arrhythmias. It can significantly reduce surgically induced ventricular fibrillation. However, its maximum impact is seen in combination with some other drugs.

    Quinidine decreases the conduction velocity of cells in the AV node and ventricular myocardium. It decreases the slope in the depolarization phase. It impacts the conduction velocity thus reducing any abnormal heartbeat activity inside the heart.

    Quinidine is derived as an isomer of Quinine. It has extensive sodium channel blocking properties and thus is an ideal drug for the treatment of arrhythmia. Quinidine is a mixed antiarrhythmic drug and reduces or lowers symptoms of an irregular heartbeat.

    Quinine and its impurity dihydroquinine have been used in combination to assess their impact on malaria treatment. Both were found to be efficacious and neither of them was found to be very resistant to the drug.

    Earlier, Quinidine was contraindicated in patients suffering from g6pd deficiency. However, in the last few years, it has been used in these patients, who need to be closely monitored for hemolytic anemia.

    Quinidine is an isomer of Quinine. It is not an anti-malarial drug. Quinine is a first-line anti-malarial drug. Quinine is used for the prompt treatment and management of severe malaria and is usually administered intravenously for greater efficacy and fast release action.

    Quinidine is often used to reduce or altogether terminate atrial fibrillation. Of late, it has been recommended by doctors as a third-line drug for cardioversion. Normally Beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers are used for atrial fibrillation but in some instances, Quinidine is effective.

    Quinidine is an optical isomer of quinine and extracted from the bark of the Cinchona tree and other plants that belong to the same category. Quinine acts on the erythrocytic stage of the Human malarial parasite, whereas Quinidine is used as a prominent drug to treat arrhythmia.

    Some studies on Quinidine and its effects on heart rate, especially during the treadmill test, report that it significantly increases the heart rate. This increase was observed during rest as well as low levels of exercise.

    Quinidine as compared to other cardiovascular drugs is generally considered safe for consumption by pregnant women. The medication is often used to treat resistant fetal tachyarrhythmia or acute malaria in pregnant women.