What is Pacerone?
Pacerone influences the heartbeat rhythm. Pacerone can be used to keep the heart functioning normally in patients with serious heart rhythm problems that threaten the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart that allow blood to exit the heart). This medication is prescribed to treat ventricular tachycardia as well as ventricular fibrillation. Pacerone is only used to treat serious heart rhythm problems that can be life-threatening. Pacerone is also used for reasons not mentioned in this guideline.
Side effects of Pacerone
Contact a medical professional immediately in the event that you exhibit symptoms that indicate an allergy, such as hives, breathing difficulties, and swelling of your lips, face, and tongue. Pacerone requires a considerable amount of time to completely cleanse your body. There is a chance that you will experience adverse effects from this medication when you stop taking it.
Contact your physician immediately in the event that you suffer from any of these adverse reactions, regardless of whether they happen within a couple of months after quitting Pacerone:
- Wheezing, cough, chest pain, cough, bleeding mucus, and a high fever.
- A new or worsening abnormal heartbeat pattern (fast, slow, slow, or beating heartbeats).
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you're passing out.
- Blurred vision and seeing halos of light sources (your eyes could become more sensitive).
- Liver problems: symptoms of liver disease: nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort (upper right), fatigue, and dark urine jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).
- Nerve disorders: loss of coordination, muscle weakness, involuntary muscle movements, or painful sensations in your hands or lower legs.
- Symptoms of an overactive thyroid are signs of an overactive thyroid: weight loss, hair loss, thinning hair, experiencing hotness, more sweating or shaking, being anxious or angry, an irregular menstrual cycle, swelling of your neck (goiter).
- Indications of signs of thyroid inactivity—weight increase, fatigue, depression, difficulties with concentration, and being cool.
Common adverse effects of Pacerone can include:
- Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite.
- Constipation.
This is not a comprehensive list of all the side effects. Other side effects could be present. Contact your doctor to seek medical advice on adverse effects. You can report any side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
Pacerone can be used only for the treatment of heart rhythm disorders that are life-threatening. It is not recommended to use Pacerone in the event that you are allergic to Pacerone or iodine, suffer from heart blockage, have a history of slow heartbeats that led to you fainting, or even if the heart fails to pump blood in a proper manner. Pacerone could cause harmful adverse effects on your liver, heart, and lungs, as well as your vision. Contact your doctor or seek medical attention immediately. If you are experiencing chest pain, rapid or pounding heartbeats, difficulty breathing, eye problems, or stomach pain, vomiting and jaundice, dark urine (yellowing of the eyes or skin), or when you cough up blood.
Before you take this drug
This medication is for you if you have an allergy to pacerone or iodine or are:
- A serious heart problem known as "AV block" (2nd or 3rd degree) in the absence of an implanted pacemaker.
- You have a history of fainting due to sluggish heartbeats.
- If your heart can't pump blood in a proper manner.
Pacerone could cause harmful negative effects on your liver, heart, and lungs, as well as your thyroid.
Inform your doctor if you were ever diagnosed with:
- Asthma or any other lung disorder.
- The liver condition.
- A thyroid disorder.
- Vision issues.
- Excessive blood pressure or lower blood pressure.
- An electrolyte imbalance (such as a low level of magnesium, potassium, or magnesium in the blood).
- If you have an implanted defibrillator or pacemaker inside your chest.
Utilizing Pacerone during pregnancy can cause harm to the unborn baby or lead to thyroid issues or irregular heartbeats in the newborn after it's born. This medication can also affect the development of a child's speech and movement, as well as academic abilities, later on in the course of Informing your doctor if you are pregnant. It is advised not to breastfeed when you take Pacerone or for several months after quitting. This medication needs considerable time to get rid of itself in your system. Talk to your doctor about the best method to feed your child during this time.
How to take Pacerone?
Follow the instructions on the prescription label and read the medication guide or instructions sheets. The doctor might change the dosage. Follow the medication precisely as directed. Your first few doses are within the hospital setting, where your heartbeat is monitored. If you've taken another heart rhythm medication, it is possible to gradually stop taking it before you begin using Pacerone. Follow the instructions of your doctor for dosing extremely carefully.
You can use Pacerone in combination with or without meals; however, you should use the same method each time. It could take up to three weeks to see if your heart rate increases. Continue to take the medication according to instructions, even if you are feeling well. Pacerone has long-lasting effects on the body. It is possible that you will require frequent medical tests while taking Pacerone and for a period of time after the last dose. If you require an operation (including surgical eye procedures using lasers), inform the surgeon beforehand that you're using Pacerone. This medication may affect the outcomes of certain medical tests. Be sure to inform any doctor treating you that you're taking Pacerone. Maintain at room temperature and free of heat, moisture, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Don't miss the dose you missed, and take your next dose at your regular time. Don't take two doses at the same time.
What happens if I overdose?
Get medical attention immediately or contact the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. A fatal overdose of pacerone could be fatal. Overdose symptoms can include weakness, a slower heart rate, feeling lightheaded, or a loss of consciousness.
What should be avoided?
Avoid driving or engaging in hazardous activities until you are aware of how Pacerone can affect you. Your reaction could be affected. Grapefruit can interfere with Pacerone and cause unwanted negative side effects. Beware of using products made from grapefruit. Beware of taking herbal supplements that contain St. John's wort. Pacerone may cause you to burn more quickly. Avoid tanning beds and sunlight. Protect yourself with protective clothes and sunblock (SPF 30 or greater) whenever you're outside.
Interaction with other drugs
There are times when it's not recommended to use certain medicines simultaneously. Certain drugs may affect the blood levels of other medications you are taking, which could create side effects or render the drugs less effective. Pacerone requires a long period of time to be completely eliminated from your body. Drug interactions can occur for up to a few months after stopping this medication. Discuss this with your physician prior to using any medications during this period. Be aware of the time since you last took amiodarone. A variety of drugs can alter Pacerone. This includes prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all interactions are included in this list. Discuss with your physician all of your medications as well as any new medications you are about to start or stop taking.
