procainamide Pharm.
(prəʊˈkeɪnəmaɪd)
Also procaineamide.
[f. procaine amide.]
An amide, NH2C6H4·CONH·CH2CH2N(C2H5)2, which is formally derived from procaine (an ester), and is used in cardiac therapy (esp. to control arrhythmia) in the form of a hydrochloride, a white hygroscopic solid.
| 1954 Lancet 8 May 957/1 It is now established that procainamide is superior to quinidine in the treatment of ventricular tachycardia. 1954 Brit. Pharmaceut. Codex 610 Procainamide Hydrochloride is p-amino-N-(2-diethylaminoethyl)-benzamide hydrochloride and may be prepared by treating the NN-diethylethylenediamine with p-nitrobenzoyl chloride, and reducing the nitro-compound obtained. 1971 L. Schamroth Disorders Cardiac Rhythm lvii. 326/2 Follow-up therapy may be carried out with oral procaineamide: 250 to 500 mgm 4 to 6-hourly. 1979 Sci. Amer. Dec. 52/1 Procainamide, which is administered to counteract irregular rhythms of the heart, must be given to most patients every three hours in order to provide blood levels near the therapeutic range. |