Disopyramide

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Canadian/Mexican Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat abnormal, rapid heartbeats called arrhythmias.

How does it work?

• Disopyramide tries to normalize the heartbeats by changing the current through the heart.

How is it best taken?

• Swallow sustained-release capsule whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
• Do not change dose or stop medicine without talking with healthcare provider.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects.
• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies until you know that this medicine does not affect you until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, and pain medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Tell healthcare provider if you have prostate problems or problems passing urine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you have a weakened heart.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling tired, lightheaded, dizzy, or having blurred vision. Use caution when driving, doing other tasks or hobbies that require you to be alert until effects of this medicine are known.
• Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
• Unable to pass urine. Go to the bathroom before taking medicine. Talk with healthcare provider if it becomes a problem.
• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
• Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.

What should I monitor?

• Report a 3-5 pound weight gain if you have heart failure.
• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Swelling of legs or belly, shortness of breath, weight gain, or decreased ability to walk.
• Passing out, fainting, dizziness, lightheadedness, or rapid heartbeats.
• Any rash.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in a tight container at room temperature.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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