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Propafenone (Propafenone Hydrochloride) - Side Effects and Adverse Reactions

 
 



ADVERSE REACTIONS

Adverse reactions associated with propafenone HCl occur most frequently in the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems. About 20% of patients treated with propafenone HCl 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.

Adverse Reactions Reported for >1.5% of SVT Patients
Incidence
(N=480)
% of Patients 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.

Adverse Reactions Reported for ≥1% of Ventricular Arrhythmia Patients
Prop./Placebo Trials Prop./Quinidine Trial
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.

Adverse Reactions Reported for ≥1% of Ventricular Arrhythmia Patients N=2127
Incidence by Total Daily Dose Total Incidence % of Pts. Who Discont.
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 Fibrillation 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 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.



REPORTS OF SUSPECTED PROPAFENONE SIDE EFFECTS / ADVERSE REACTIONS

Below is a sample of reports where side effects / adverse reactions may be related to Propafenone. The information is not vetted and should not be considered as verified clinical evidence.

Possible Propafenone side effects / adverse reactions in 52 year old male

Reported by a health professional (non-physician/pharmacist) from United States on 2012-01-04

Patient: 52 year old male

Reactions: Intentional Overdose

Adverse event resulted in: death

Suspect drug(s):
Warfarin
    Dosage: unk
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2006-01-01
    End date: 2006-01-01

Acetaminophen
    Dosage: unk
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2006-01-01
    End date: 2006-01-01

Propafenone
    Dosage: unk
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2006-01-01
    End date: 2006-01-01

Carvedilol
    Dosage: unk
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2006-01-01
    End date: 2006-01-01

Oxazepam
    Dosage: unk
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2006-01-01
    End date: 2006-01-01

Ibuprofen
    Dosage: unk
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2006-01-01
    End date: 2006-01-01

Temazepam
    Dosage: unk
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2006-01-01
    End date: 2006-01-01



Possible Propafenone side effects / adverse reactions in 52 year old male

Reported by a health professional (non-physician/pharmacist) from United States on 2012-01-10

Patient: 52 year old male

Reactions: Intentional Overdose

Adverse event resulted in: death

Suspect drug(s):
Oxazepam
    Dosage: unk
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2006-01-01
    End date: 2006-01-01

Ibuprofen
    Dosage: unk
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2006-01-01
    End date: 2006-01-01

Propafenone
    Dosage: unk
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2006-01-01
    End date: 2006-01-01

Acetaminophen
    Dosage: unk
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2006-01-01
    End date: 2006-01-01

Temazepam
    Dosage: unk
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2006-01-01
    End date: 2006-01-01

Carvedilol
    Dosage: unk
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2006-01-01
    End date: 2006-01-01

Warfarin Sodium
    Dosage: unk
    Administration route: Oral
    Start date: 2006-01-01
    End date: 2006-01-01



See index of all Propafenone side effect reports >>

Drug label data at the top of this Page last updated: 2013-12-06

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