Medicines
Discover all available medicines and treatments
Discover all available medicines and treatments
Brand: Quinidex, Cardioquin, Quinaglute
Quinidine is an antiarrhythmic medication used to treat and prevent abnormal heart rhythms. It belongs to the Class IA antiarrhythmic drug class and works by blocking sodium and potassium channels in the heart, thereby slowing the electrical conduction and stabilizing the heart rhythm. It's derived from the bark of the cinchona tree, the same source as quinine, but quinidine is primarily used for its cardiac effects.
Used to treat and prevent irregular heartbeats (atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and ventricular tachycardia).
Quinidine carries a black box warning for potentially fatal proarrhythmic effects, including torsades de pointes, a type of ventricular tachycardia. It should be used with caution in patients with pre-existing heart conditions.
Outcome:
Increased digoxin levels, leading to toxicity.
Mechanism:
Quinidine reduces digoxin clearance.
Outcome:
Increased warfarin effect.
Mechanism:
Displacement of warfarin from protein binding sites.
Outcome:
May affect quinidine absorption.
Mechanism:
Variable effects on gastric emptying and pH.
Most likely new formulation: extended-release formulation to improve patient compliance (Year: 2025, 70% confidence)
Based on usage patterns and reported adverse events, there is a <1% likelihood of quinidine being withdrawn from the market in the next 5 years.
Class IA antiarrhythmic
Quinoline alkaloid