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RYTHMOL®(propafenone hydrochloride)TABLETS
Description
RYTHMOL (propafenone hydrochloride) is an antiarrhythmic drug supplied in scored, film-coated tablets of 150, 225 and 300 mg for oral administration. Propafenone has some structural similarities to beta-blocking agents.
The structural formula of propafenone hydrochloride is given below:
Propafenone hydrochloride occurs as colorless crystals or white crystalline powder with a very bitter taste. It is slightly soluble in water (20°C), chloroform and ethanol. The following inactive ingredients are contained in the tablet: corn starch, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate, povidone, propylene glycol, sodium starch glycolate and titanium dioxide.
Clinical Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action:
RYTHMOL is a Class 1C antiarrhythmic drug with local anesthetic effects, and a direct stabilizing action on myocardial membranes. The electrophysiological effect of RYTHMOL manifests itself in a reduction of upstroke velocity (Phase 0) of the monophasic action potential. In Purkinje fibers, and to a lesser extent myocardial fibers, RYTHMOL reduces the fast inward current carried by sodium ions. Diastolic excitability threshold is increased and effective refractory period prolonged. Propafenone reduces spontaneous automaticity and depresses triggered activity.
Studies in anesthetized dogs and isolated organ preparations show that RYTHMOL has beta-sympatholytic activity at about 1/50 the potency of propranolol. Clinical studies employing isoproterenol challenge and exercise testing after single doses of propafenone indicate a beta-adrenergic blocking potency (per mg) about 1/40 that of propranolol in man. In clinical trials, resting heart rate decreases of about 8% were noted at the higher end of the therapeutic plasma concentration range. At very high concentrations in vitro, propafenone can inhibit the slow inward current carried by calcium, but this calcium antagonist effect probably does not contribute to antiarrhythmic efficacy. Propafenone has local anesthetic activity approximately equal to procaine.
Electrophysiology:
Electrophysiology studies in patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT) have shown that propafenone HCl prolongs atrioventricular (AV) conduction while having little or no effect on sinus node function. Both AV nodal conduction time (AH interval) and His-Purkinje conduction time (HV interval) are prolonged. Propafenone has little or no effect on the atrial functional refractory period, but AV nodal functional and effective refractory periods are prolonged. In patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, RYTHMOL reduces conduction and increases the effective refractory period of the accessory pathway in both directions. Propafenone slows conduction and consequently produces dose-related changes in the PR interval and QRS duration. QTc interval does not change.
| *Change and percent change based on mean baseline values for each treatment group. | ||||||||
| Total Daily Dose (mg) | ||||||||
| 337.5 mg | 450 mg | 675 mg | 900 mg | |||||
| Interval | msec | % | msec | % | msec | % | msec | % |
| RR | -14.5 | -1.8 | 30.6 | 3.8 | 31.5 | 3.9 | 41.7 | 5.1 |
| PR | 3.6 | 2.1 | 19.1 | 11.6 | 28.9 | 17.8 | 35.6 | 21.9 |
| QRS | 5.6 | 6.4 | 5.5 | 6.1 | 7.7 | 8.4 | 15.6 | 17.3 |
| QTc | 2.7 | 0.7 | -7.5 | -1.8 | 5.0 | 1.2 | 14.7 | 3.7 |
In any individual patient, the above ECG changes cannot be readily used to predict either efficacy or plasma concentration.
RYTHMOL causes a dose-related and concentration-related decrease in the rate of single and multiple premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and can suppress recurrence of ventricular tachycardia. Based on the percent of patients attaining substantial (80-90%) suppression of ventricular ectopic activity, it appears that trough plasma levels of 0.2 to 1.5 µg/mL can provide good suppression, with higher concentrations giving a greater rate of good response.
When 600 mg/day propafenone was administered to patients with paroxysmal atrial tachyarrhythmias, mean heart rate during arrhythmia decreased 14 beats/min and 37 beats/min for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation/flutter (PAF) patients and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) patients, respectively.
Hemodynamics:
Sympathetic stimulation may be a vital component supporting circulatory function in patients with congestive heart failure, and its inhibition by the beta blockade produced by propafenone HCl may in itself aggravate congestive heart failure.
Additionally, like other Class 1C antiarrhythmic drugs, studies in humans have shown that propafenone HCl exerts a negative inotropic effect on the myocardium. Cardiac catheterization studies in patients with moderately impaired ventricular function (mean C.I.=2.61 L/min/m2) utilizing intravenous propafenone infusions (2 mg/kg over 10 min +2 mg/min for 30 min) that gave mean plasma concentrations of 3.0 µg/mL (well above the therapeutic range of 0.2-1.5 µg/mL) showed significant increases in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, systemic and pulmonary vascular resistances and depression of cardiac output and cardiac index.
Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism:
Propafenone HCl is nearly completely absorbed after oral administration with peak plasma levels occurring approximately 3.5 hours after administration in most individuals. Propafenone exhibits extensive saturable presystemic biotransformation (first pass effect) resulting in a dose dependent and dosage form dependent absolute bioavailability; e.g., a 150 mg tablet had absolute bioavailability of 3.4%, while a 300 mg tablet had absolute bioavailability of 10.6%. A 300 mg solution which was rapidly absorbed, had absolute bioavailability of 21.4%. At still larger doses, above those recommended, bioavailability increases still further. Decreased liver function also increases bioavailability; bioavailability is inversely related to indocyanine green clearance reaching 60-70% at clearances of 7 mL/min and below. The clearance of propafenone is reduced and the elimination half-life increased inpatients with significant hepatic dysfunction (see PRECAUTIONS).
Propafenone HCl follows a nonlinear pharmacokinetic disposition presumably due to saturation of first pass hepatic metabolism as the liver is exposed to higher concentrations of propafenone and shows a very high degree of interindividual variability. For example, for a three-fold increase in daily dose from 300 to 900 mg/day there is a tenfold increased in steady-state plasma concentration. The top 25% of patients given 337.5 mg/day, however, had a mean concentration of propafenone larger than the bottom 25%, and about equal to the second 25%, of patients given a dose of 900 mg. Although food increased peak blood level and bioavailability in a single dose study, during multiple dose administration of propafenone to healthy volunteers food did not change bioavailability significantly.
There are two genetically determined patterns of propafenone metabolism. In over 90% of patients, the drug is rapidly and extensively metabolized with an elimination half-life from 2-10 hours. These patients metabolize propafenone into two active metabolites: 5-hydroxypropafenone which is formed by CYP2D6 and N-depropylpropafenone which is formed by both CYP3A4 and CYP1A2.
In vitro preparations have shown these two metabolites to have antiarrhythmic activity comparable to propafenone but in man they both are usually present in concentrations less than 20% of propafenone. Nine additional metabolites have been identified, most only in trace amounts. It is the saturable hydroxylation pathway that is responsible for nonlinear pharmacokinetic disposition.
In less than 10% of patients (and in any patient also receiving quinidine, see PRECAUTIONS), metabolism of propafenone is slower because the 5-hydroxy metabolite is not formed or is minimally formed. The estimated propafenone elimination half-life ranges from 10-32 hours. Decreased ability to form the 5-hydroxy metabolite of propafenone is associated with a diminished ability to metabolize debrisoquine and a variety of other drugs (encainide, metoprolol, dextromethorphan). In these patients, the N-depropylpropafenone occurs in quantities comparable to the levels occurring in extensive metabolizers. In slow metabolizers propafenone pharmacokinetics are linear.
There are significant differences in plasma concentrations of propafenone in slow and extensive metabolizers, the former achieving concentrations 1.5 to 2.0 times those of the extensive metabolizers at daily doses of 675-900 mg/day. At low doses the differences are greater, with slow metabolizers attaining concentrations more than five times that of extensive metabolizers. Because the difference decreases at high doses and is mitigated by the lack of the active 5-hydroxy metabolite in the slow metabolizers, and because steady-state conditions are achieved after 4-5 days of dosing in all patients, the recommended dosing regimen is the same for all patients. The greater variability in blood levels require that the drug be titrated carefully in patients with close attention paid to clinical and ECG evidence of toxicity (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that the R-isomer of propafenone is cleared faster than the S-isomer via the 5-hydroxylation pathway (CYP2D6). This results in a higher ratio of S-propafenone during steady state.
Clinical Trials:
In two randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials of 60-90 days duration in patients with paroxysmal supraventricular arrhythmias [paroxysmal atrial fibrillation/flutter (PAF), or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)], propafenone reduced the rate of both arrhythmias, as shown in the following table:
| Study 1 | Study 2 | |||
| Propafenone | Placebo | Propafenone | Placebo | |
| PAF | N=30 | N=30 | N=9 | N=9 |
| Percent attack free | 53% | 13% | 67% | 22% |
| Median time to first recurrence | >98 days | 8 days | 62 days | 5 days |
| PSVT | N=45 | N=45 | N=15 | N=15 |
| Percent attack free | 47% | 16% | 38% | 7% |
| Median time to first recurrence | >98 days | 12 days | 31 days | 8 days |
The patient population in the above trials was 50% male with a mean age of 57.3 years. Fifty percent of the patients had a diagnosis of PAF and 50% had PSVT. Eighty percent of the patients received 600 mg/day propafenone. No patient died in the above 2 studies.
In U.S. long-term safety trials, 474 patients (mean age: 57.4 + 14.5 years) with supraventricular arrhythmias [195 with PAF, 274 with PSVT and 5 with both PAF and PSVT] were treated up to 5 years (mean: 14.4 months) with propafenone. Fourteen of the patients died. When this mortality rate was compared to the rate in a similar patient population (n=194 patients; mean age: 43.0 + 16.8 years) studied in an arrhythmia clinic, there was no age-adjusted difference in mortality. This comparison was not, however, a randomized trial and the 95% confidence interval around the comparison was large, such that neither a significant adverse or favorable effect could be ruled out.
Indications and Usage
In patients without structural heart disease, RYTHMOL (propafenone HCl) is indicated to prolong the time to recurrence of
- paroxysmal atrial fibrillation/flutter (PAF) associated with disabling symptoms.
- paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) associated with disabling symptoms.
As with other agents, some patients with atrial flutter treated with propafenone have developed 1:1 conduction, producing an increase in ventricular rate. Concomitant treatment with drugs that increase the functional AV refractory period is recommended.
The use of propafenone HCl in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation has not been evaluated. Propafenone HCl should not be used to control ventricular rate during atrial fibrillation.
Propafenone HCl is also indicated for the treatment of
- documented ventricular arrhythmias, such as sustained ventricular tachycardia, that, in the judgment of the physician, are life-threatening. Because of the proarrhythmic effects of propafenone HCl, its use with lesser ventricular arrhythmias is not recommended, even if patients are symptomatic, and any use of the drug should be reserved for patients in whom, in the opinion of the physician, the potential benefits outweigh the risks.
Initiation of propafenone HCl treatment, as with other antiarrhythmics used to treat life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, should be carried out in the hospital.
Propafenone HCl, like other antiarrhythmic drugs, has not been shown to enhance survival in patients with ventricular or atrial arrhythmias.
Contraindications
Propafenone HCl is contraindicated in the presence of uncontrolled congestive heart failure, cardiogenic shock, sinoatrial, atrioventricular and intraventricular disorders of impulse generation and/or conduction (e.g., sick sinus node syndrome, atrioventricular block) in the absence of an artificial pacemaker, bradycardia, marked hypotension, bronchospastic disorders, manifest electrolyte imbalance, and known hypersensitivity to the drug.
Warnings
Precautions
Hepatic Dysfunction:
Propafenone is highly metabolized by the liver and should, therefore, be administered cautiously to patients with impaired hepatic function. Severe liver dysfunction increases the bioavailability of propafenone to approximately 70% compared to 3-40% for patients with normal liver function. In eight patients with moderate to severe liver disease, the mean half-life was approximately 9 hours. As a result, the dose of propafenone given to patients with impaired hepatic function should be approximately 20-30% of the dose given to patients with normal hepatic function (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). Careful monitoring for excessive pharmacological effects (see OVERDOSAGE) should be carried out.
Renal Dysfunction:
A considerable percentage of propafenone metabolites (18.5%-38% of the dose/48 hours) are excreted in the urine.
Until further data are available, propafenone HCl should be administered cautiously to patients with impaired renal function. These patients should be carefully monitored for signs of overdosage (see OVERDOSAGE).
Elevated ANA Titers:
Positive ANA titers have been reported in patients receiving propafenone. They have been reversible upon cessation of treatment and may disappear even in the face of continued propafenone therapy. These laboratory findings were usually not associated with clinical symptoms, but there is one published case of drug-induced lupus erythematosis (positive rechallenge); it resolved completely upon discontinuation of therapy. Patients who develop an abnormal ANA test should be carefully evaluated and, if persistent or worsening elevation of ANA titers is detected, consideration should be given to discontinuing therapy.
Impaired Spermatogenesis:
Reversible disorders of spermatogenesis have been demonstrated in monkeys, dogs and rabbits after high dose intravenous administration of propafenone HCl. Evaluation of the effects of short-term RYTHMOL administration on spermatogenesis in 11 normal subjects had suggested that propafenone HCl produced a reversible, short-term drop (within normal range) in sperm count. Subsequent evaluations in 11 patients receiving RYTHMOL chronically have suggested no effect of propafenone HCl on sperm count.
Neuromuscular Dysfunction:
Exacerbation of myasthenia gravis has been reported during propafenone therapy.
Drug interactions
Propafenone is metabolized by CYP2D6 (major pathway) and CYP1A2 and CYP3A4. Drugs that inhibit CYP2D6 (such as desipramine, paroxetine, ritonavir, sertraline), CYP1A2 (such as amiodarone), and CYP3A4 (such as ketaconazole, ritonavir, saquinavir, erythromycin, and grapefruit juice) can be expected to cause increased plasma levels of propafenone. Appropriate monitoring is recommended when RYTHMOL SR is used together with such drugs. In addition, propafenone is an inhibitor of CYP2D6. Coadministration of propafenone with drugs metabolized by CYP2D6 (such as desipramine, imipramine, haloperidol, venlafaxine) might lead to increased plasma concentrations of these drugs. The effect of propafenone on the P-Glycoprotein transporter has not been studied.
Post Marketing Reports:
Post Marketing Reports:
Orulat may limit the fraction of propafenone available for absorption. In post marketing reports, abrupt cessation of orulat in patients stabilized on propafenone has resulted in severe adverse events including convulsions, atrioventricular block and acute circulatory failure.
Renal and Hepatic Toxicity in Animals:
Renal changes have been observed in the rat following 6 months of oral administration of propafenone HCI at doses of 180 and 360 mg/kg/day (about 2 and 4 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human daily dose [MRHD] on a mg/m2 basis). Both inflammatory and non-inflammatory changes in the renal tubules, with accompanying interstitial nephritis, were observed. These changes were reversible, as they were not found in rats allowed to recover for 6 weeks. Fatty degenerative changes of the liver were found in rats following longer durations of administration of propafenone HCI at a dose of 270 mg/kg/day (about 3 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis). There were no renal or hepatic changes at 90 mg/kg/day (equivalent to the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis).
Carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, impairment of fertility
Lifetime maximally tolerated oral dose studies in mice (up to 360 mg/kg/day, about twice the maximum recommended human oral daily dose [MRHD] on a mg/m2 basis) and rats (up to 270 mg/kg/day, about 3 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis) provided no evidence of a carcinogenic potential for propafenone HCI.
Propafenone HCI tested negative for mutagenicity in the Ames (salmonella) test and the mouse dominant lethal test, and tested negative for clastogenicity in the Chinese hamster micronucleus test, and other in vivo tests for chromosomal aberrations in rat bone marrow and Chinese hamster bone marrow and spermatogonia.
Propafenone HCI, administered intravenously to rabbits, dogs, and monkeys, has been shown to decrease spermatogenesis. These effects were reversible, were not found following oral dosing of propafenone HCI, were seen a lethal or near lethal dose levels and were not seen in rats treated either orally or intravenously (see PRECAUTIONS, Impaired Spermatogenesis). Treatment of male rabbits for 10 weeks prior to mating at an oral dose of 120 mg/kg/day (about 2.4 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis) or an intravenous dose of 3.5 mg/kg/day (a spermatogenesis-impairing dose) did not result in evidence of impaired fertility. Nor was there evidence of impaired fertility when propafenone HCI was administered orally to male and female rats at dose levels up to 270 mg/kg/day (about 3 times the MRHD on mg/m2 basis).
Pregnancy
Labor and delivery
It is not known whether the use of propafenone during labor or delivery has immediate or delayed adverse effects on the fetus, or whether it prolongs the duration of labor or increases the need for forceps delivery or other obstetrical intervention.
Nursing mothers
It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serous adverse reactions in nursing infants from propafenone HCI, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Pediatric use
The safety and effectiveness of propafenone HCI in pediatric patients have not been established.
Geriatric use
Clinical studies of RYTHMOL did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.
Adverse Reactions
Adverse reactions associated with propafenone HCI occur most frequently in the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems. About 20% of patients treated with propafenone HCI have discontinued treatment because of adverse reactions.
Adverse reactions reported for >1.5% of 474 SVT patients who received propafenone in U.S. clinical trials are presented in the following table by incidence and percent discontinuation, reported to the nearest percent.
| Incidence (N=480) | % of Pts. Who Discontinued | |
| Unusual Taste | 14% | 1.3% |
| Nausea and/or Vomiting | 11% | 2.9% |
| Dizziness | 9% | 1.7% |
| Constipation | 8% | 0.2% |
| Headache | 6% | 0.8% |
| Fatigue | 6% | 1.5% |
| Blurred Vision | 3% | 0.6% |
| Weakness | 3% | 1.3% |
| Dyspnea | 2% | 1.0% |
| Wide Complex Tachycardia | 2% | 1.9% |
| CHF | 2% | 0.6% |
| Bradycardia | 2% | 0.2% |
| Palpitations | 2% | 0.2% |
| Tremor | 2% | 0.4% |
| Anorexia | 2% | 0.2% |
| Diarrhea | 2% | 0.4% |
| Ataxia | 2% | 0.0% |
Results of controlled trials in ventricular arrhythmia patients comparing adverse reaction rates on propafenone and placebo, and on propafenone and quinidine are shown in the following table. Adverse reactions reported for ≥1% of the patients receiving propafenone as shown, unless they were more frequent on placebo than propafenone. The most common events were unusual taste, dizziness, first degree AV block, intraventricular conduction delay, nausea and/or vomiting, and constipation. Headache was relatively common also, but was not increased compared to placebo.
| Prop./Placebo Trials | Prop./Quinidine Trials | |||
| Prop. | Placebo | Prop. | Quinidine | |
| (N=247 | (N=111) | (N=53) | (N=52) | |
| Unusual Taste | 7% | 1% | 23% | 0% |
| Dizziness | 7% | 5% | 15% | 10% |
| First Degree AV Block | 5% | 1% | 2% | 0% |
| Headache(s) | 5% | 5% | 2% | 8% |
| Constipation | 4% | 0% | 6% | 2% |
| Intraventricular Conduction Delay | 4% | 0% | - | - |
| Nausea and/or Vomiting | 3% | 1% | 6% | 15% |
| Fatigue | - | - | 4% | 2% |
| Palpitations | 2% | 1% | - | - |
| Blurred Vision | 2% | 1% | 6% | 2% |
| Dry Mouth | 2% | 1% | 6% | 6% |
| Dyspnea | 2% | 3% | 4% | 0% |
Abdominal Pain/Cramps | - | - | 2% | 8% |
| Dyspepsia | - | - | 2% | 8% |
| CHF | - | - | 2% | 0% |
| Fever | - | - | 2% | 10% |
| Tinnitus | - | - | 2% | 2% |
| Vision, Abnormal | - | - | 2% | 2% |
| Esophagitis | - | - | 2% | 0% |
| Gastroenteritis | - | - | 2% | 0% |
| Anxiety | 2% | 2% | - | - |
| Anorexia | 2% | 1% | 0% | 2% |
| Proarrhythmia | 1% | 0% | 2% | 0% |
| Flatulence | 1% | 0% | 2% | 0% |
| Angina | 1% | 0% | 2% | 4% |
| Second Degree AV Block | 1% | 0% | - | - |
Bundle Branch Block | 1% | 0% | 2% | 2% |
| Loss of Balance | 1% | 0% | - | - |
| Diarrhea | 1% | 1% | 6% | 39% |
Adverse reactions reported for ≥1% of 2,127 ventricular arrhythmia patients who received propafenone in U.S. clinical trials are presented in the following table by propafenone daily dose. The most common adverse reactions in controlled clinical trials appeared dose-related (but note that most patients spent more time at the larger doses), especially dizziness, nausea and/or vomiting, unusual taste, constipation, and blurred vision. Some less common reactions may also have been dose-related such as first degree AV block, congestive heart failure, dyspepsia, and weakness. The principal causes of discontinuation were the most common events and are shown in the table.
Incidence by Total Daily Dose | Total Incidence | % of | |||
| 450 mg | 600 mg | ≥900 mg | |||
| (N=1430) | (N=1337) | (N=1333) | (N=2127) | ||
| Dizziness | 4% | 7% | 11% | 13% | 2.4% |
| Nausea and/or Vomiting | 2% | 6% | 9% | 11% | 3.4% |
| Unusual Taste | 3% | 5% | 6% | 9% | 0.7% |
| Constipation | 2% | 4% | 5% | 7% | 0.5% |
| Fatigue | 2% | 3% | 4% | 6% | 1.0% |
| Dyspnea | 2% | 2% | 4% | 5% | 1.6% |
| Proarrhythmia | 2% | 2% | 3% | 5% | 4.7% |
| Angina | 2% | 2% | 3% | 5% | 0.5% |
| Headache(s) | 2% | 3% | 3% | 5% | 1.0% |
| Blurred Vision | 1% | 2% | 3% | 4% | 0.8% |
| CHF | 1% | 2% | 3% | 4% | 1.4% |
Ventricular Tachycardia | 1% | 2% | 3% | 3% | 1.2% |
| Dyspepsia | 1% | 2% | 3% | 3% | 0.9% |
| Palpitations | 1% | 2% | 3% | 3% | 0.5% |
| Rash | 1% | 1% | 2% | 3% | 0.8% |
AV Block, First Degree | 1% | 1% | 2% | 3% | 0.3% |
| Diarrhea | 1% | 2% | 2% | 3% | 0.6% |
| Weakness | 1% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 0.7% |
| Dry Mouth | 1% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 0.2% |
Syncope/Near Syncope | 1% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 0.7% |
QRS Duration, Increased | 1% | 1% | 2% | 2% | 0.5% |
| Chest Pain | 1% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 0.2% |
| Anorexia | 1% | 1% | 2% | 2% | 0.4% |
Abdominal Pain, Cramps | 1% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 0.4% |
| Ataxia | 0% | 1% | 2% | 2% | 0.2% |
| Insomnia | 0% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 0.3% |
Premature Ventricular Contraction(s) | 1% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 0.1% |
| Bradycardia | 1% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 0.5% |
| Anxiety | 1% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 0.6% |
| Edema | 1% | 0% | 1% | 1% | 0.2% |
| Tremor(s) | 0% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 0.3% |
| Diaphoresis | 1% | 0% | 1% | 1% | 0.3% |
Bundle Branch Block | 0% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 0.5% |
| Drowsiness | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 0.2% |
Atrial Fibrilation | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 0.4% |
| Flatulence | 0% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 0.1% |
| Hypotension | 0% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 0.4% |
Intraventricular Conduction Delay | 0% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 0.1% |
| Pain Joints | 0% | 0% | 1% | 1% | 0.1% |
In addition, the following adverse reactions were reported less frequently than 1% either in clinical trials or in marketing experience (adverse events for marketing experience are given in italics). Causality and relationship to propafenone therapy cannot necessarily be judged from these events.
Cardiovascular System: Atrial flutter, AV dissociation, cardiac arrest, flushing, hot flashes, sick sinus syndrome, sinus syndrome, sinus pause or arrest, supraventricular tachycardia.
Nervous System: Abnormal dreams, abnormal speech, abnormal vision, apnea, coma, confusion, depression, memory loss, numbness, paresthesias, psychosis/mania, seizures (0.3%), tinnitus, unusual smell sensation, vertigo.
Gastrointestinal: A number of patients with liver abnormalities associated with propafenone therapy have been reported in post-marketing experience. Some appeared due to hepatocellular injury, some were cholestatic and some showed a mixed picture. Some of these reports were simply discovered through clinical chemistries, others because of clinical symptoms including fulminant hepatitis and death. One case was rechallenged with a positive outcome. Cholestasis (0.1%), elevated liver enzymes (alkaline phosphatase, serum transaminases) (0.2%), gastroenteritis, hepatitis (0.03%).
Hematologic: Agranulocytosis, anemia, bruising, granulocytopenia, increased bleeding time, leukopenia, purpura, thrombocytopenia.
Other: Alopecia, eye irritation, hyponatremia/inappropriate ADH secretion, impotence, increased glucose, kidney failure, positive ANA (0.7%), lupus erythematosis, muscle cramps, muscle weakness, nephrotic syndrome, pain, pruritus.
Overdosage
The symptoms of overdosage, which are usually most severe within 3 hours of ingestion, may include hypotension, somnolence, bradycardia, intra-atrial and intraventricular conduction disturbances, and rarely convulsions and high grade ventricular arrhythmias. Defibrillation as well as infusion of dopamine and isoproterenol have been effective in controlling rhythm and blood pressure. Convulsions have been alleviated with intravenous diazepam. General supportive measures such as mechanical respiratory assistance and external cardiac massage may be necessary.
Dosage and Administration
The dose of RYTHMOL (propafenone HCI) must be individually titrated on the basis of response and tolerance. It is recommended that therapy be initiated with 150 mg propafenone given every eight hours (450 mg/day). Dosage may be increased at a minimum of 3 to 4 day intervals to 225 mg every 8 hours (675 mg/day) and, if necessary, to 300 mg every 8 hours (900 mg/day). The usefulness and safety of dosages exceeding 900 mg per day have not been established. In those patients in whom significant widening of the QRS complex or second or third degree AV block occurs, dose reduction should be considered.
As with other antiarrhythmic agents, in the elderly or in ventricular arrhythmia patients with marked previous myocardial damage, the dose of RYTHMOL should be increased more gradually during the initial phase of treatment.
How Supplied
RYTHMOL® (propafenone HCI) tablets are supplied as scored, round, film-coated tablets containing either 150 mg, 225 mg, or 300 mg of propafenone hydrochloride and embossed (on the same side) with ® and a two-letter code designation, JC for the 150 mg tablet, JI for the 225 mg tablet and JN for the 300 mg tablet, in the following package sizes:
| NDC #65726-xxx-yy | ||
| Unit Dose | Bottle of 100 | |
| 150 mg | 265 – 90 | 265 – 25 |
| 225 mg | 266 – 90 | 266 – 25 |
| 300 mg | 267 – 90 | 267 – 25 |
Storage: Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-86°F)[see USP controlled room temperature]. Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container as defined in the USP.
Rx only
September 2004
Distributed by:
Reliant Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Liberty Corner, New Jersey 07938, USA
Address Medial Inquiries to:
Reliant Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Medical Affairs
110 Allen Road
Liberty Corner, NJ 07938, USA
RYTHMOL is a registered trademark of G. Petrik used under license by Abbott Laboratories.
© 2004 Reliant Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
03-5340-R1
326F500
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