Propafenone Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 25, 2024.

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

Precautions

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure the medicine is working properly. This will allow for changes to be made in the amount of medicine you are taking, if necessary.

This medicine can cause changes in your heart rhythm, such as conditions called PR, QRS, or QT prolongation. It may cause fainting or serious side effects in some patients. Contact your doctor right away if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

Check with your doctor right away if you develop any of the following: chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling of your hands, ankles, or feet, or weight gain. These may be symptoms of heart failure.

This medicine can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.

Propafenone may cause some people to become dizzy or lightheaded. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy.

If you have been using this medicine regularly for several weeks, do not suddenly stop using it. Check with your doctor for the best way to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping completely.

This medicine may decrease the amount of sperm men make. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this.

Grapefruits and grapefruit juice may increase the effects of propafenone by increasing the amount of this medicine in your body. You should not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you taking this medicine.

Tell your doctor if you are smoking tobacco.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Common 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:

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:

For healthcare professionals

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

General adverse events

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]

See also:

Further information

Propafenone side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer