Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Procan SR (Searchlight Pharma)
What is PROCAN SR used for?
PROCAN SR is used in adults to treat:
- a cardiac disorder called ventricular arrhythmia. Ventricular arrhythmias are abnormal heartbeats that originate in your lower heart chambers, called ventricles.
- atrial fibrillation and paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, which are an irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm.
How does PROCAN SR work?
PROCAN SR works by slowing the nerve impulses in the heart and reducing the sensitivity of heart tissues. This slows down and helps to regulate your heartbeat.
What are the ingredients in PROCAN SR?
Medicinal ingredients: Procainamide hydrochloride
Non-medicinal ingredients: candelilla wax, carnauba wax, hydrogenated soybean oil, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose, magnesium stearate, methylparaben, opaspray green, polyethylene glycol, propylparaben, silicon dioxide colloidal, vanillin.
PROCAN SR comes in the following dosage forms:
Extended-release tablets, 250 mg
Do not use PROCAN SR if:
- You are allergic to procainamide or any other ingredients in this drug.
- You have a condition called complete atrioventricular heart block.
Serious Warnings and Precautions
PROCAN SR is intended for use only in patients with life-threatening irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). Most anti-arrhythmic drugs have the potential to cause dangerous arrhythmias; some have been shown to be associated with an increase of sudden death. Your healthcare professional will tell you about the risk and benefits of anti-arrhythmic therapy.
- You do not have an active electrical pacemaker and have a condition called second or third degree atrioventricular heart block.
- You have systematic lupus erythematosus.
- You have a condition called “torsades de pointes” arrhythmia.
- You have a condition called myasthenia gravis.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take PROCAN SR. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- Have or have had heart disease or any other heart problems.
- Have or have had kidney problems.
- Have or have had liver problems.
- Have bone marrow failure or have a condition called cytopenia (where you have a lower-than-normal number of blood cells).
Are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant.
- Are breastfeeding.
Other warnings you should know about:
Monitoring and Tests: During your treatment with PROCAN SR, your healthcare professional will perform tests at regular intervals to make sure PROCAN SR is working well for you. These tests may include:
- Blood tests at weekly intervals for the first 3 months of treatment, and periodically after that
- Tests to monitor for the signs and symptoms of lupus erythematosus
If you have any flu-like symptoms such as malaise, aches, soreness of the mouth, throat or gums, unexplained fever, skin rash, unusual bleeding or bruising, or any symptoms that resemble arthritis or an upper respiratory tract infection, tell you healthcare professional right away.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with PROCAN SR:
- Antiarrhythmics: drugs to treat an irregular heartbeat or anxiety, such as propanolol
- Anticholinergics: drugs often used to treat incontinence, overactive bladder, respiratory disorders or Parkinson disease
- Anticholinesterases: drugs used to treat Alzheimer disease, dementia or myasthenia gravis
- Antihypertensives: drugs used to treat high blood pressure
- Cimetidine: a drug used to treat heartburn and stomach ulcers
- Neuromuscular Blocking Agents: drugs used as a muscle relaxant during anesthesia
- Antibiotics, such as kanamycin, neomycin and streptomycin
How to take PROCAN SR:
- Take PROCAN SR as directed by your healthcare professional.
- Do NOT stop taking PROCAN SR without talking to your healthcare professional first.
- Swallow the tablets whole. Do NOT cut, crush or chew the tablets.
Do not be concerned if you notice something that looks like a tablet in your stool. PROCAN SR tablets have a wax core that has been designed to slowly release the drug into your body. When this process is completed, the empty, non-absorbable wax core which looks nearly unchanged is eliminated from your body.
Usual dose:
Your healthcare professional will tell you how much PROCAN SR you must take. The usual dose is 2 to 4 tablets, taken every 6 hours.
Overdose:
Taking too much PROCAN SR can cause severe low blood pressure, heart problems, decreased urination, lethargy, confusion, nausea and vomiting.
| If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much PROCAN SR, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
|---|
Missed Dose:
If you miss a dose and remember within one hour or so, take it as soon as possible. Then go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take double doses. If you have any questions about this, check with your healthcare professional.
What are possible side effects from using PROCAN SR?
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking PROCAN SR. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Giddiness
- Confusion
- Light-headedness
- Weakness
- Bitter taste
| Serious side effects and what to do about them | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| COMMON | |||
| Allergic reactions: itchy skin, hives, rash, swelling, fever, weakened immune system | ✓ | ||
| Anorexia (decreased appetite) | ✓ | ||
| Heart failure or heart disorders (disorders affecting your heart muscle, valves, or rhythm): shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort, fatigue, heart palpitations, swelling in the legs, ankles and feet, nausea, loss of appetite, sweating | ✓ | ||
| High level of antinuclear antibodies, with or without lupus syndrome: joint pain, fever, skin lesions, headache, fatigue, weakness, nausea, abdominal pain | ✓ | ||
| UNCOMMON | |||
| Blood disorders (disorders of the white and/or red blood cells or platelet count): feeling tired or weak, pale skin, dizziness, fainting, bruising, or bleeding for longer than usual if you hurt yourself, fever, chills | ✓ | ||
| Depression (sad mood that won’t go away): difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much, changes in appetite or weight, feelings of worthlessness, guilt, regret, helplessness or hopelessness, withdrawal from social situations, family, gatherings and activities with friends, reduced libido (sex drive), thoughts of death or suicide | ✓ | ||
| Psychosis with hallucinations: seeing or hearing things that are not there | ✓ | ||
| Seizures (fits): uncontrollable shaking with or without loss of consciousness | ✓ | ||
| Serious side effects and what to do about them | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| RARE | |||
| Hypotension (low blood pressure): blurred vision, dizziness, light-headedness, fainting, nausea, vomiting, fatigue (may occur when you go from lying or sitting to standing up) | ✓ | ||
| Vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels): skin rash, fatigue, weakness, numbness or tingling in the affected limb, fever, joint pain, abdominal pain | ✓ | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
Storage:
Keep container tightly closed to protect from moisture. Store at room temperature (15-30°C) in a dry place.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about PROCAN SR:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-
- product-database.html; the manufacturer’s website (http://searchlightpharma.com), or by calling 1-855-331-0830.