How does it work?

The heart's pumping action is controlled by electrical signals which pass through the heart muscle, causing contraction of the two pairs of heart chambers (left and right atria and ventricles). Tocainide works by decreasing the sensitivity of heart muscle cells to electrical impulses, therefore slowing the electrical conduction in the heart muscle. This helps to restore disturbances in heart rhythm (arrhythmias), which can seriously undermine the pumping action of the heart and result in inefficient blood circulation around the body. Tocainide is specifically used in emergency situations when the ventricles of the heart are pumping much more quickly than normal and the heart cannot pump out enough blood.

What is it used for?

Irregular and increased contraction of the two lower chambers of the heart (ventricular tachyarrhythmias)

Warning!

This medicine may rarely cause a decrease in the normal amounts of blood cells in the blood. For this reason, if you experience any unexplained bruising, purple spots, bleeding, sore throat, mouth ulcers, high temperature (fever), feeling tired or general illness, you should consult your doctor immediately so that blood tests can be carried out to check for this.

Any symptoms of lung disorders, such as shortness of breath during exercise, wheezing and coughing should be reported to your doctor immediately.

It is recommended that regular blood tests are performed to check levels of the blood components.

The effect of this medicine may be reduced by low blood potassium levels (hypokalaemia). This condition should be corrected, if possible, before starting treatment.

This medicine may interfere with liver function tests.

Use with caution in

Decreased kidney function

Decreased liver function

Elderly people

Low blood pressure (hypotension)

Low potassium levels in the blood

Slow heart rate (bradycardia)

Uncontrolled heart failure

Not to be used in

Allergy to amide type medicines

Children

Defect of the heart's electrical message pathways resulting in decreased function of the heart (heart block) in the absence of a pace-maker

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not established. It is not recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Consult your doctor for further advice.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Rash

Confusion

Shaking, usually of the hands (tremor)

Lung disorders

Abnormal heart beats (arrhythmias)

Seizures (convulsions)

Disturbance in the components of the blood

Loss of contact with reality (psychosis)

Pins and needles (paraesthesia)

Dizziness

Nausea and vomiting

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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