| Drug Name: | Quinidine |
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| Drug Class: | Class I antiarrhythmic agent |
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| Mechanism of Action: | - Blocks sodium channels in cardiac cells, slowing conduction velocity and prolonging the refractory period
- Also blocks potassium channels, leading to QT interval prolongation
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| Use: | - Treatment of ventricular arrhythmias
- Conversion of atrial fibrillation/flutter to normal sinus rhythm
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| Side Effects: | - GI upset
- Cinchonism (headache, tinnitus, blurred vision, confusion)
- QT interval prolongation
- Torsades de pointes
- Hypotension
- Hepatotoxicity
- Hemolytic anemia (in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency)
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| Contraindications: | - Hypersensitivity to quinidine or other cinchona alkaloids
- Complete heart block
- Myasthenia gravis
- Long QT syndrome
- Severe hepatic or renal impairment
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| Specialty: | - Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
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