DISOPYRAMIDE

Brand & Generic Names

Norpace
Norpace CR
Rythmodan
Rythmodan-LA

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Antiarrhythmic

Uses

Corrects heart rhythm disorders.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Extended-release tablet or capsule--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet or open capsule and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
At the same times each day.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Delays nerve impulses to heart to regulate heartbeat.

Time lapse before drug works:
Begins in 30 to 60 minutes. Must use for 5 to 7 days to determine effectiveness.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Blood-pressure drop, irregular heartbeat, apnea, loss of consciousness.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• If patient is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to- mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make patient vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take patient to nearest emergency facility.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Hives, rash, intense Seek emergency itching, faintness treatment immediately. soon after a dose (anaphylaxis).

Common:

• Hypoglycemia (cold sweats, fast heartbeat, extreme hunger, shakiness and nervousness, anxiety, cool and pale skin, drowsiness, headache).
• Dry mouth, constipation, painful or difficult urination, rapid weight gain, blurred vision.

Infrequent:

• Dizziness, fainting, confusion, chest pain, nervousness, depression, slow or fast heartbeat.
• Swollen feet.

Rare:

• Shortness of breath, psychosis.
• Rash, sore throat, fever, headache, jaundice, muscle weakness.
• Eye pain, diminished sex drive, numbness or tingling of hands and feet, bleeding tendency.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to disopyramide or any antiarrhythmic.
• You have second- or third-degree heart block.
• You have heart failure.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you react unfavorably to other antiarrhythmic drugs.
• If you have had heart disease.
• If you have low blood pressure.
• If you have liver disease.
• If you have glaucoma.
• If you have enlarged prostate.
• If you have myasthenia gravis.
• If you take digitalis preparations or diuretics.

Over age 60:

• May require reduced dose.
• More likely to have difficulty urinating or be constipated.
• More likely to have blood pressure drop.

Pregnancy:
Studies inconclusive on harm to unborn child. Decide with your doctor if drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Safety not established. Don't use.

Prolonged use:
Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check liver function, kidney function, ECG*, blood pressure, serum potassium.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine, narcotics, or mind-altering drugs.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.

Others:
If new illness, injury or surgery occurs, tell doctors of disopyramide use.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Antiarrhythmics*	May increase effect and toxicity of
	each drug.
Anticholinergics*	Increased anticholinergic effect.
Anticoagulants*,	Possible increased
oral	anticoagulant effect.
Antihypertensives*	Increased antihypertensive effect.
Cisapride	Decreased disopyramide effect.
Encainide	Increased effect of toxicity on the
	heart muscle.
Flecainide	Possible irregular heartbeat.
Nicardipine	May cause dangerously slow, fast or
	irregular heartbeat.
Nimodipine	May cause dangerous irregular, slow
	or fast heartbeat.
Phenobarbital	Increased metabolism,
	decreased disopyramide effect.
Phenytoin	Increased metabolism,
	decreased disopyramide effect.
Propafenone	Increased effect of both drugs and
	increased risk of toxicity.
Rifampin	Increased metabolism,
	decreased disopyramide effect.
Tocainide	Increased likelihood of adverse
	reactions with either drug.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Decreased blood pressure and blood
	sugar. Use caution.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	Irregular heartbeat.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	Unpredictable. May decrease
	disopyramide effect.
Tobacco:	May decrease disopyramide effect.