Summary

Commonly reported side effects of propafenone include: constipation, dyspnea, nausea, and dysgeusia. Other side effects include: cardiac rate disturbance, death, atrial flutter, ventricular arrhythmia, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, blurred vision, heart murmur, myasthenia, asthenia, diarrhea, first degree atrioventricular block, vomiting, ecchymoses, and unpleasant taste. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

Applies to propafenone: oral capsule extended release, oral tablet.

Serious side effects of Propafenone

Along with its needed effects, propafenone may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking propafenone:

Less common

• Chest pain
• fast, irregular, or slow heartbeat
• lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• shortness of breath
• swelling of the feet or lower legs
• weight gain

Rare

• Chills
• fever
• joint pain
• trembling or shaking
• weakness

Other side effects of Propafenone

Some side effects of propafenone may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Change in taste or bitter or metallic taste

Less common

• Blurred vision
• constipation
• diarrhea
• dryness of the mouth
• headache
• nausea or vomiting
• skin rash
• unusual tiredness or weakness

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to propafenone: oral capsule extended release, oral tablet.

General

Adverse reactions occurred most commonly in the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Palpitation, angina pectoris, atrial flutter, first-degree atrioventricular block, bradycardia, congestive heart failure, cardiac murmur, left bundle branch block, right bundle branch block, conduction disorders, sinus bradycardia, hypotension, wide complex tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, recurrent supraventricular tachycardia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Premature ventricular contractions increased

Frequency not reported: PR interval prolongation, QRS interval prolongation, unstable angina, atrial hypertrophy, cardiac arrest, coronary artery disease, extrasystoles, myocardial infarction, nodal arrhythmia, pericarditis, sinoatrial block, sinus arrest, sinus arrhythmia, supraventricular extrasystoles, ventricular extrasystoles, ventricular hypertrophy, abnormal heart sounds, abnormal pulse, carotid bruit, blood pressure decreased, blood pressure increased, limb arterial embolism, deep limb venous thrombosis, flushing, hematoma, hypertension, hypertensive crisis, labile blood pressure, pallor, peripheral coldness, peripheral vascular disease, thrombosis, intraventricular conduction delay, second-degree atrioventricular block, atrioventricular dissociation, hot flashes, sick sinus syndrome, sinus pause or arrest, supraventricular tachycardia, torsade de pointes, asystole^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Nausea and/or vomiting (11%)

Common (1% to 10%): Constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, flatulence

Frequency not reported: Abdominal distention, abdominal pain, duodenitis, dyspepsia, dysphagia, eructation, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gingival bleeding, glossitis, glossodynia, gum pain, halitosis, intestinal obstruction, melena, mouth ulceration, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer, rectal bleeding, gastroenteritis^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Unusual taste (up to 14%)

Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache, tremor, somnolence, ataxia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Seizures

Frequency not reported: Tinnitus, vertigo, sciatica, amnesia, balance impaired, brain damage, cerebrovascular accident, dementia, gait abnormal, hypertonia, hypoesthesia, paralysis, paresthesia, peripheral neuropathy, speech disorder, syncope, tongue hypoesthesia, memory loss, numbness, unusual smell sensation, myasthenia gravis exacerbated

Postmarketing reports: Coma^[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea, upper respiratory tract infection, rales, wheezing

Frequency not reported: Sore throat, atelectasis, breath sounds decreased, chronic obstructive airways disease, cough, epistaxis, hemoptysis, lung disorder, pleural effusion, pulmonary congestion, respiratory failure, rhinitis, throat tightness

Postmarketing reports: Apnea^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain, fatigue, edema, weakness

Frequency not reported: Hearing impaired, feeling hot, malaise, pain, pyrexia, breast pain, death^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Ecchymosis

Frequency not reported: Alopecia, dermatitis, dry skin, erythema, nail abnormality, petechiae, pruritus, sweating increased, urticaria, rash, purpura^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Hematuria

Frequency not reported: Glycosuria present, prostatic specific antigen increased, ketonuria present, proteinuria present, dysuria, nocturia, oliguria, pyuria, urinary casts, urinary frequency, urinary incontinence, urinary retention, urine abnormal, impotence, prostatism, sperm count decreased^[Ref]

Hepatic

Common (1% to 10%): Blood alkaline phosphatase increased

Frequency not reported: Hepatomegaly, ALT increased, AST increased, blood bilirubin increased, gamma-glutamyltransferase increased, cholestasis, hepatitis

Postmarketing reports: Liver abnormalities^[Ref]

Immunologic

Common (1% to 10%): Influenza

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Positive antinuclear antibody titer^[Ref]

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia

Frequency not reported: Weight decreased, blood cholesterol increased, blood glucose increased, blood triglycerides increased, blood uric acid increased, weight increased, dehydration, diabetes mellitus, gout, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hypokalemia

Postmarketing reports: Hyponatremia/inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion^[Ref]

Ocular

Common (1% to 10%): Blurred vision

Frequency not reported: Eye hemorrhage, eye inflammation, eyelid ptosis, miosis, retinal disorder, visual acuity reduced, vision abnormal, eye irritation^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety, depression

Frequency not reported: Insomnia, libido decreased, emotional disturbance, mental disorder, neurosis, nightmare, sleep disorder, abnormal dreams, confusion, psychosis/mania^[Ref]

Endocrine

Frequency not reported: Blood prolactin increased^[Ref]

Hematologic

Frequency not reported: Anemia, lymphadenopathy, spleen disorder, thrombocytopenia, hemorrhage, blood chloride decreased, blood sodium decreased, hemoglobin decreased, neutrophil count decreased, platelet count decreased, prothrombin level decreased, red blood cell count decreased, blood lactate dehydrogenase increased, eosinophil count increased, monocyte count increased, prothrombin level increased, white blood cell count increased, granulocytopenia, leukopenia

Postmarketing reports: Bleeding time increased^[Ref]

Renal

Frequency not reported: Blood creatinine increased, blood urea increased, renal failure, nephrotic syndrome

Postmarketing reports: Kidney failure^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Muscle weakness

Frequency not reported: Arthritis, bursitis, collagen-vascular disease, costochondritis, joint disorder, muscle cramps, muscle spasm, myalgia, neck pain, jaw pain, tendonitis

Postmarketing reports: Lupus erythematosus^[Ref]