- IV (Adults): 100 mg every 5 min until arrhythmia is abolished or 1000 mg have been given; wait at least 10 min until further dosing or loading infusion of 500–600 mg over 30–60 min followed by maintenance infusion of 1–4 mg/min.
Absorption: IV administration results in complete bioavailability.
Distribution: Widely distributed to tissues.
Metabolism/Excretion: Converted by the liver by N-acetyltransferase to N-acetylprocainamide (NAPA), an active antiarrhythmic compound; rate of acetylation is genetically determined (slow acetylators have ↑ procainamide levels and ↑ risk of toxicity; fast acetylators have ↓ procainamide levels and ↑ risk for treatment failure). 40–70% excreted unchanged by the kidneys.
Half-life: 2.5–4.7 hr (NAPA: 7 hr); ↑ in renal impairment.
Contraindicated in:
Use Cautiously in:
CV: ASYSTOLE, HEART BLOCK, hypotension, VENTRICULAR ARRHYTHMIAS.
Derm: rash.
GI: diarrhea, anorexia, nausea, vomiting.
Hemat: AGRANULOCYTOSIS, eosinophilia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia.
Neuro: confusion, dizziness, SEIZURES.
Misc: chills, drug-induced lupus, fever.
Drug-Drug:
IV Administration:
NDC Code*