Brand name : Norpace - NORPACE (Disopyramide)
Pronounced: NOR-pace
Generic name: Disopyramide phosphate
Other brand name: Norpace CR
Why is Norpace prescribed?

Norpace is used to treat severe irregular heartbeat. It relaxes an overactive heart and improves the efficiency of the heart's pumping action.
Most important fact about Norpace

Do not stop taking Norpace without first consulting your doctor. Stopping suddenly can cause serious changes in heart function.
How should you take Norpace without prescriptions?

Be sure to take Norpace exactly as prescribed.Norpace may cause dry mouth. For temporary relief suck on a hard candy, chew gum, or melt ice chips in your mouth.

If you miss a dose NORPACE (Disopyramide)

Take it as soon as you remember, if the next dose is 4 or more hours away. If you do not remember until later, skip the dose you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Storage instructions...

Store at room temperature.
Norpace side effects

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Norpace.

* Side effects may include:
Abdominal pain, aches and pains, bloating and gas, blurred vision, constipation, dizziness, dry eyes, nose, and throat, dry mouth, fatigue, headache, inability to urinate, increased urinary frequency and urgency, muscle weakness, nausea, vague feeling of bodily discomfort

Why should Norpace not be prescribed?

This drug should not be used if the output of your heart is inadequate (cardiogenic shock) or if you are sensitive to or have ever had an allergic reaction to Norpace.

Norpace can be used for only certain types of irregular heartbeat, and must not be used for others.
Special warnings about Norpace

If you have structural heart disease, inflammation of the heart muscle, or other heart disorders, use Norpace with extreme caution.

Norpace may cause or worsen congestive heart failure and can cause severe low blood pressure. If you have a history of heart failure, your doctor will carefully monitor your heart function while you are taking Norpace.

Norpace can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially if you have congestive heart failure; poor nutrition; or kidney, liver, or other diseases; or if you are taking beta-blocking blood pressure drugs such as Tenormin or drinking alcohol.

Your doctor will prescribe Norpace along with other heart-regulating drugs, such as quinidine, procainamide, encainide, flecainide, propafenone, and propranolol, only if the irregular rhythm is considered life-threatening and other antiarrhythmic medication has not worked.

If you have the eye condition called glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, or difficulty urinating (particularly if you have a prostate condition), use Norpace cautiously.

You will take lower dosages if you have liver or kidney disease.

Your doctor should check your potassium levels before starting you on Norpace. Low potassium levels may make Norpace ineffective; high levels may increase its toxic effects.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking Norpace

Avoid alcoholic beverages while taking Norpace.

If Norpace is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Norpace with the following:

Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
Drugs that inhibit the breakdown of other drugs by the liver, including Tagamet
Erythromycin (Eryc, Ery-Tab, PCE)
Other heart-regulating drugs such as quinidine (Quinidex), procainamide (Procan SR), lidocaine (Xylocaine), propranolol (Inderal), Verapamil (Calan)
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Troleandomycin (Tao)
Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

The effects of Norpace during pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Norpace appears in breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. If Norpace is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding until your treatment with Norpace is finished.
Recommended dosage for Norpace

Treatment with Norpace should be started in the hospital.

ADULTS : Overdosage

Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. An overdose of Norpace can be fatal. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical treatment immediately.

* The symptoms of Norpace overdose may include:
Cessation of breathing, irregular heartbeat, loss of consciousness, low blood pressure, slow heartbeat, worsening of congestive heart failure