Cimetidine/Procainamide Interactions

This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug or commencing any course of treatment.

Medical warning:

Moderate. These medicines may cause some risk when taken together. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.

How the interaction occurs:

Cimetidine decreases the amount of procainamide that your body removes.

What might happen:

When these two drugs are taken together, the cimetidine causes the procainamide to build up in your body. This increased amount of procainamide will have a greater effect for both desired and undesired effects. This may cause you to have dizziness, weakness, fatigue, or an irregular heartbeat.

What you should do about this interaction:

Call your doctor if you feel dizzy, weak, or sense an irregular heartbeat. You may be more likely to notice the effects of this interaction if you have kidney problems or are elderly.Your healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.