Norpace

Generic Name: disopyramide (DYE soe PIR a mide)

Brand Names: Norpace, Norpace CR

What is Norpace (disopyramide)?

Disopyramide affects the way that your heart beats.

Disopyramide is used to treat seriously irregular heartbeat patterns.

Disopyramide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Norpace (disopyramide)?

Do not skip doses or change your dosing schedule without talking to your doctor. Changing your schedule could make your condition much worse. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Disopyramide may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. If you experience dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision, avoid these activities. Do not crush, chew, or break any controlled-release (CR) forms of disopyramide. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release slowly in your body.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Norpace (disopyramide)?

Before taking disopyramide, tell your doctor if you have

• 
  

  any other type of heart disease or heart problem,

  
  


• liver disease,


• kidney disease,


• 
  

  difficulty urinating or an enlarged prostate,

  
  


• 
  

  glaucoma, or

  
  


• 
  

  myasthenia gravis.

  
  

You may not be able to take disopyramide, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Disopyramide is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether disopyramide will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. Disopyramide passes into breast milk. It is not known whether disopyramide will affect a nursing infant. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Norpace (disopyramide)?

Take disopyramide exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break any controlled-release (CR) forms of disopyramide. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release slowly in your body. Do not skip doses or change your dosing schedule without talking to your doctor. Changing your schedule could make your condition much worse. Store disopyramide at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Try not to miss any doses of this medication. Missing doses could be very dangerous.

If you do miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication. A double dose could be dangerous.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a disopyramide overdose include dry mouth and eyes, blurred vision, constipation, difficulty urinating, dizziness, worsening irregular heartbeats, loss of consciousness, and death.

What should I avoid while taking Norpace (disopyramide)?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Disopyramide may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. If you experience dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase side effects while you are taking disopyramide.

Follow any other special instructions given by your doctor regarding food, beverages, and activities.

Norpace (disopyramide) side effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking disopyramide and seek emergency medical attention:

• 
  

  an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

  
  


• 
  

  a new or a worsening irregular heartbeat pattern;

  
  


• 
  

  chest pain, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or swelling of your legs or feet; or

  
  


• 
  

  severe dizziness.

  
  

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to your doctor if you experience

• 
  

  mild dizziness or tiredness,

  
  


• 
  

  headache,

  
  


• 
  

  blurred vision,

  
  


• 
  

  dry mouth,

  
  


• 
  

  rash, itching,

  
  


• 
  

  muscle aches or pains, or

  
  


• 
  

  difficulty urinating.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Norpace (disopyramide)?

Before taking disopyramide, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications:

• 
  

  other medicines used to treat irregular heartbeats such as quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinora, others), amiodarone (Cordarone), bepridil (Vascor), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan, Procanbid), and others;

  
  


• 
  

  a beta-blocker such as acebutolol (Sectral), propranolol (Inderal), metoprolol (Lopressor), carteolol (Cartrol), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), pindolol (Visken), nadolol (Corgard), and others;

  
  


• 
  

  erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, and others) or clarithromycin (Biaxin);

  
  


• 
  

  phenytoin (Dilantin);

  
  


• 
  

  phenobarbital (Solfoton, Luminal);

  
  


• 
  

  cisapride (Propulsid);

  
  


• 
  

  rifampin (Rimactane, Rifadin); or

  
  


• 
  

  warfarin (Coumadin).

  
  

You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with disopyramide. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

More Norpace resources

• Norpace Side Effects (in more detail)
• Norpace Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Norpace Drug Interactions
• Norpace Support Group
• 2 Reviews for Norpace - Add your own review/rating

• Norpace Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Norpace MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Norpace Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Disopyramide Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Disopyramide Phosphate Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Norpace CR Sustained-Release Capsules MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Norpace with other medications

• Arrhythmia

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about disopyramide.

See also: Norpace side effects (in more detail)