Pacerone

Pacerone should only be used in patients with life-threatening irregular heartbeat. Worsening of irregular heartbeat, life-threatening lung disease, and serious liver problems may occur with use of Pacerone . Alternative medicines should be tried before Pacerone is used. Initial use of Pacerone requires close monitoring and dose selection may be difficult. It is very common to require a dosage decrease or discontinuation of treatment. The recurrence of the irregular heartbeat after discontinuation or dosage adjustment is unpredictable and hospitalization may be required.

Pacerone is used for:

Treating life-threatening recurrent heart rhythm disturbances in patients who cannot tolerate or do not respond well to other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Pacerone is an ant arrhythmic. It works by stabilizing the heart rhythm in conditions in which the heart is beating too fast or in an irregular rhythm. It is usually used in situations in which the abnormal heart rhythms, if not treated, could cause death.

Do NOT use Pacerone if:

* you are allergic to any ingredient in Pacerone , including iodine

* you have complete, second degree, third degree, or severe sinoatrial heart block; an abnormally slow heartbeat; or shock due to serious heart problems; or if you have had fainting due to slow heartbeat (except if you have a pacemaker)

* you are taking cisapride, dofetilide, an H1 antagonist (eg, astemizole, loratadine, terfenadine), an HIV protease inhibitor (eg, ritonavir), a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (eg, vardenafil), or a streptogramin (eg, dalfopristin, quinupristin)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Use Pacerone as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

* Pacerone comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Pacerone refilled.

* Take Pacerone by mouth. It is best taken with food. However, it is more important to take it consistently with regard to meals. If you take it with food, try to always take it with food to improve absorption of Pacerone . If you prefer to take it on an empty stomach, then always try to take it on an empty stomach.

* Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you take Pacerone .

* Pacerone works best when there is a constant level of the medicine in your body. Take Pacerone on a regular schedule around the clock, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Take it at the same time each day.

* If you miss a dose of Pacerone , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Pacerone .

* Pacerone may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Pacerone with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

* Severe and sometimes fatal lung or other breathing problems have been reported with Pacerone . Contact your doctor right away if you develop shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing, fever, or cough, or if you begin coughing up blood.

* Long-term exposure to Pacerone may cause blue-gray discoloration of the skin, particularly of the face and hands. This effect is not harmful and usually reverses, sometimes incompletely, after the medicine is stopped. Avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun may help to prevent this effect.

* Limit alcoholic beverages while taking Pacerone .

* It may take several days to weeks for Pacerone to work. A response may not be seen for up to 3 weeks after the medicine is started.

* Pacerone stays in your body for weeks or months, even after you are no longer taking it. Therefore, caution is advised not only during treatment, but for several months after treatment with Pacerone has stopped if you are taking any interacting medicines.

* Pacerone may cause skin reactions similar to serious sunburn or sensitivity to sunlight. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Pacerone . Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.

* Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Pacerone before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery (including eye surgery to correct vision problems).

* Your doctor may want you to check your pulse rate every day while you take Pacerone . Learn how to monitor your pulse.

* Carry an ID card at all times that says you take Pacerone .

* Lab tests, including electrocardiogram (ECG), chest x-rays, lung tests, liver tests, thyroid tests, and eye exams, may be performed while you use Pacerone . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

* Pacerone should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.

* PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Pacerone has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Pacerone while you are pregnant. Pacerone is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Pacerone.

Store Pacerone at room temperature, between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 and 25 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Pacerone out of the reach of children and away from pets.