II. Indications
- Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia
-
Atrial Fibrillation Chemical Cardioversion
- Time to Cardioversion: 3-6 hours
- Conversion Rate: 38-86%
- Chronic Efficacy: 47-60%
- Life Threatening Malaria
III. Contraindications
- Complete AV Block
- Left Bundle Branch Block
IV. Mechanism
- Class Ia Antiarrhythmic (Sodium Channel Blocker, lengthens Action Potential duration)
- Similar activity as with Procainamide and Disopyramide
- Decreases the automaticity of ectopic foci
- Outside of nodes, increases heart refractory period including accessory pathways
- Decreases conduction velocity in the atria, HIs Bundle and Purkinje Fibers
- Paradoxically may increase AV Nodal conduction in rapid atrial rates due to Anticholinergic activity
- Results in QRS Widening and QTc Prolongation
V. Precautions
- Consider initial hospital-based telemetry monitoring when starting Quinidine
VI. Dosing: Arrhythmia
- Primarily oral route (IV risks Hypotension, pain with IM Injection)
- Adult
- Quinidine Gluconate extended-release 324 to 648 mg orally every 8 to 12 hours
- Quinidine Sulfate immediate-release 200 to 400 mg orally every 6 to 8 hours
- Quinidine Sulfate extended-release 300 to 600 mg orally every 8 to 12 hours
- Child
- Quinidine Sulfate immediate-release
- Start (Test Dose): 2 mg/kg up to 200 mg
- Target: 15 to 60 mg orally every 6 hours
- Quinidine Sulfate immediate-release
VII. Dosing: Life-Threatening Malaria
VIII. Pharmacokinetics
- Protein Bound: 90%
- Hepatic metabolism with renal excretion
IX. Adverse Effects
- Common
- Serious
- Proarrhythmic
- Torsades de Pointes (Quinidine prolongs QTc)
- Ventricular increased response to Atrial Tachycardia
- Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
- Mortality is increased when used in non-lethal Arrhythmia and comorbid CAD, CHF
- Cinchonism
- Proarrhythmic
X. Drug Interactions
- Quinidine increased metabolism with decreased effects
- Quinidine potentiates other drugs
- Digoxin
- Vasodilators (increased risk of Hypotension)
- Warfarin
XI. Safety
- Pregnancy Category C
- Considered safe in Lactation
XII. Resources
- Quinidine Sulfate Tablet (DailyMed)
- Quinidine Gluconate Extended Release (DailyMed)
XIII. References
- Olson (2020) Clinical Pharmacology, Medmaster Miami, p. 74-5
- Hamilton (2020) Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia