Eva has been using a certain Class 1A antiarrhythmic drug for a very long time.However,over the past few weeks,Eva has lost a lot of weight and has been experiencing severe episodes of nausea and diarrhea.She has also developed a scaly red skin rash.She visits Dr.Redford's clinic for a consultation.Dr.Redford studies her electrocardiogram (ECG)and notices that the durations of the PR,QRS,and QT waves in Eva's heart are much longer than usual.He advises Eva to stop taking the drug.Which of the following drugs has Eva most likely been using?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Common adverse effects of procainamide include nausea, diarrhea, anorexia, and skin rash. Following chronic use of procainamide, a large percentage of patients develop an antibody referred to as antinuclear antibody. Approximately 20-30 percent of these patients develop a rash and arthralgia similar to the symptoms seen in lupus erythematosus. The development of these symptoms requires that procainamide be discontinued. Procainamide is also capable of producing changes in ECGs similar to those produced by quinidine. Usually, increased duration of the PR, QRS, and QT waves occurs.

Eva Has Been Using a Certain Class 1A Antiarrhythmic Drug