disopyramide

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trade name: Norpace CR; drug class: antidysrhythmic (Class IA); action: prolongs action potential duration and effective refractory period; uses: PVCs, ventricular tachycardia, atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation.

Brand names: Norpace®Norpace® CR

Chemical formula:

Drug Forms:
• Disopyramide Phosphate Oral capsule, extended-release (below)
• Disopyramide Phosphate Oral capsule

Español:
• Fosfato de disopiramida, Cápsula oral de liberación prolongada
• Fosfato de disopiramida, Cápsula oral

Disopyramide Phosphate Oral capsule, extended-release

What is this medicine?

DISOPYRAMIDE (dye soe PEER a mide) is an antiarrhythmic drug. It helps make your heart beat regularly. This medicine also helps to slow rapid heartbeats.
 
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•diabetes
•difficulty passing urine
•glaucoma
•heart disease or previous heart attack
•kidney disease
•liver disease
•low blood pressure
•malnutrition
•myasthenia gravis
•an unusual or allergic reaction to disopyramide, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not cut, crush or chew this medicine. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly. This may cause serious, heart-related side effects. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take. If your doctor wants you to stop the medicine, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
•amoxapine
•apomorphine
•arsenic trioxide
•certain medicines for HIV or AIDS
•cisapride
•droperidol
•haloperidol
•hawthorn
•levomethadyl
•macrolide antibiotics like clarithromycin, erythromycin
•maprotiline
•medicines for mental depression such as tricyclic antidepressants
•medicines to treat or prevent malaria like chloroquine or halofantrine
•methadone
•other medicines to control heart rhythm
•pentamidine
•phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, and thioridazine
•pimozide
•ranolazine
•sertindole
•tacrolimus
•vardenafil
•verapamil
•ziprasidone

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
•beta-blockers, often used for high blood pressure or heart problems
•medicines for seizures such as phenytoin, phenobarbital, or carbamazepine

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Check your heart rate and blood pressure regularly while you are taking this medicine. Ask your doctor or health care professional what your heart rate and blood pressure should be, and when you should contact him or her. Your doctor or health care professional also may schedule regular tests to check your progress.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

This medicine may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may help. See your eye doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

Avoid extreme heat. This medicine can cause you to sweat less than normal. Your body temperature could increase to dangerous levels, which may lead to heat stroke.

This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
•allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
•breathing problems
•chest pain
•confusion
•cool, pale skin
•fast, irregular heartbeat
•feeling faint or lightheaded
•fever, chills, or sore throat
•headache
•swelling of feet or legs
•trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
•unusually weak or tired
•unusual weight gain
•unusual hunger
•yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•change in sex drive or performance
•constipation or diarrhea
•nausea, vomiting
•stomach pain or bloating

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Last updated: 7/1/2002

Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.