What is this medication?

DISOPYRAMIDE (dye soe PEER a mide) treats a fast or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). It works by slowing down overactive electric signals in the heart, which stabilizes your heart rhythm. It belongs to a group of medications called antiarrhythmics.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Norpace

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

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 medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

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

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While this medication may be prescribed for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

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 if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Amoxapine
• Antivirals for HIV or AIDS
• Apomorphine
• Arsenic trioxide
• Certain antibiotics like clarithromycin, erythromycin, pentamidine
• Certain medications for depression like maprotiline, tricyclic antidepressants
• Certain medications for fungal infections like fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole
• Certain medications for malaria like chloroquine, halofantrine
• Cisapride
• Droperidol
• Haloperidol
• Hawthorn
• Methadone
• Other medications for irregular heart beat like dronedarone
• Phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, thioridazine
• Pimozide
• Ranolazine
• Sertindole
• Tacrolimus
• Vardenafil
• Verapamil

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Certain medications for blood pressure or heart disease like beta-blockers
• Certain medications for seizures like carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital
• Other medications that prolong the QT interval (cause an abnormal heart rhythm) like dofetilide, ziprasidone

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 medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress.

Check your heart rate and blood pressure regularly while you are taking this medication. Ask your care team what your heart rate and blood pressure should be, and when you should contact him or her. Your care team 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 medication 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 medication. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

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

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

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

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

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Heart failure—shortness of breath, swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands, sudden weight gain, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing
• Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)—tremors or shaking, anxiety, sweating, cold or clammy skin, confusion, dizziness, rapid heartbeat
• Trouble passing urine

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Bloating
• Change in sex drive or performance
• Constipation
• Dry eyes
• Dry mouth
• Gas
• Headache
• Nausea
• Stomach pain

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 medication?

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 medication after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.