Cheratussin DAC and Procainamide Hydrochloride

• Generic Name: codeine / guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Ambifed CD, Biotussin DAC, Cheratussin DAC, Guaifen DAC, Lortuss EX, Maxifed-G CD, Nucofed Pediatric Expectorant, Tricode GF, Tusnel C, Virtussin DAC, Virtussin DAC

Codeine is a narcotic cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.

Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It helps loosen congestion in your chest and throat, making it easier to cough out through your mouth.

Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

Cheratussin DAC is a combination medicine used to treat cough, stuffy nose, and sinus congestion caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

Cheratussin DAC will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.

Cheratussin DAC may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

• Generic Name: procainamide
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Pronestyl, Procan SR, Pronestyl-SR, Procanbid

Comparably effective to quinidine for atrial or ventricular arrhythmias; choice based on pharmacokinetics and adverse effect profile.

Treatment of ventricular arrhythmias (e.g., sustained VT) that in the judgment of the clinician are life-threatening, but usually not the antiarrhythmic of first choice.

Not a first-line drug of choice during cardiac arrest, but may be used for treatment of wide-complex tachycardias in the periarrest period; included in current ACLS treatment guidelines for adult and pediatric tachycardia.

May be used in the treatment of sustained, stable monomorphic VT not associated with angina, pulmonary edema, or hypotension (BP <90 mm Hg) in patients with preserved ventricular function.

Some experts recommend revascularization and β-blockade followed by IV antiarrhythmic drugs, such as procainamide or amiodarone, for patients with recurrent or incessant polymorphic VT due to acute myocardial ischemia.

Because of procainamide's arrhythmogenic potential, lack of evidence for improved survival for class I antiarrhythmic agents, and risk of serious, potentially fatal adverse hematologic effects (see Boxed Warning), particularly leukopenia or agranulocytosis, use for less severe arrhythmias not recommended.

Reserve for suppression and prevention of documented life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias in carefully selected patients in whom the benefits of procainamide therapy outweigh the possible risks.

Avoid treatment of asymptomatic VPCs.

Initiate procainamide therapy only in a hospital setting.

Has been used for treatment of various supraventricular tachycardias (SVTs); because of higher risk of toxicity and proarrhythmic effects, antiarrhythmic agents generally reserved for patients who do not respond to or cannot be treated with AV nodal blocking agents (β-adrenergic blocking agents, verapamil, diltiazem).

May be useful in patients with preexcited atrial fibrillation and rapid ventricular response associated with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome; however, direct-current cardioversion is treatment of choice when patient is hemodynamically compromised.

Also has been used for treatment of junctional tachycardia; however, more limited role and generally considered only when IV β-adrenergic blocking agents are ineffective.

Used parenterally (preferably IM) in the treatment of arrhythmias that occur during surgery and anesthesia.

IV procainamide has been used effectively in the treatment of malignant hyperthermia.