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| Pronunciation |
|
 (dye
soe PEER a
mide) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Norpace®; Norpace®
CR |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Dimodan (Mexico) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Antiarrhythmic Agent, Class I-A |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to disopyramide or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have electrical problems in the heart without a pacemaker to
fix them.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used to treat abnormal, rapid heartbeats called
arrhythmias.
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| How does it work? |
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- Disopyramide tries to normalize the heartbeats by changing the current
through the heart.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Swallow sustained-release capsule whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- 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.
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| 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 activities
until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines
and herbs that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives,
tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or 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.
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| 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 activities 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 a fiber-containing
diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may
help.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Report a 3-5 pound weight gain if you have heart failure.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
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- 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.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- 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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