Propafenone Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 17, 2025.

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

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (tablet; capsule, extended release)

It is prudent to consider any Class 1C antiarrhythmic to have a significant proarrhythmic risk in patients with structural heart disease.

Given the lack of any evidence that these drugs improve survival, antiarrhythmic agents should generally be avoided in patients with non-life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, even if the patients are experiencing unpleasant, but not life-threatening, symptoms or signs.

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:

More common side effects

• change in taste or bitter or metallic taste

Less common side effects

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

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 side effects

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

Rare side effects

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

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]

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