Norpace

1 What is Norpace?

Brand: Norpace, Norpace CR

Generic: Disopyramide (Oral Route)

Norpace is used to treat abnormal heart rhythms.

This medication is only available with your doctor’s prescription.

This medication is available in the following forms:

  • Capsule
  • Extended release capsule
  • Extended release tablet

2 What to know before using

If you are about to start Norpace, speak with your doctor about what you need to know.

As with all medicines, the risks must be compared to how much a medication will help you. This is a decision that you and your doctor will make together. For this medication, there are many things that need to be considered:

Allergies:

Inform your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any other medications. It is also important to inform your doctor of any non-medicine allergies such as foods, dyes, preservatives or animals.

Pediatric:

Up-to-date Pediatric Appropriate studies have not indicated any problems that would limit the use of this medication.

Geriatric:

Older patients are usually more sensitive to the effects of this medication. Some side effects such as difficult urination and dry mouth may be more likely to occur in elderly patients.

Pregnancy:

This medication is listed as Pregnancy Category C. This means that animal studies have shown an adverse effect and no studies have been performed on pregnant women OR there are no adequate studies on pregnant animals and pregnant women.

Breastfeeding:

There are no up-to-date studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication while breastfeeding. Weigh the potential risks with the benefits before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions:

Certain medications should not be used together. However, in certain cases, two medications may be used together, even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change your dose
or take other precautions. When taking this medication, it is important that you inform your doctor if you are taking any of the medications listed below. The following interactions were selected on the basis of potential significance and are not all-inclusive.

Using this medication with any of the following is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication, or change some of the other medications you take:

  • Amifampridine •Bepridil •Cisapride •Dronedarone •Fingolimod •Itraconazole •Ketoconazole •Levomethadyl •Mesoridazine •Pimozide •Piperaquine •Posaconazole •Sparfloxacin •Terfenadine •Thioridazine •Ziprasidone

Using this medication with any of the following medication is not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases.

Your doctor may make the decision not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medications you take:

  • Ajmaline •Alfuzosin •Amiodarone •Amisulpride •Amitriptyline •Amoxapine •Anagrelide •Apomorphine •Aprindine •Aripiprazole •Arsenic Trioxide •Asenapine •Astemizole •Atazanavir •Azithromycin •Bedaquiline •Betaxolol •Buserelin •Chloral Hydrate •Chloroquine •Chlorpromazine •Chlorpropamide •Ciprofloxacin •Citalopram •Clarithromycin •Clomipramine •Clozapine •Cobicistat •Crizotinib •Cyclobenzaprine •Dabrafenib •Dasabuvir •Dasatinib •Degarelix •Delamanid •Desipramine •Deslorelin •Disopyramide •Dofetilide •Dolasetron •Domperidone •Donepezil •Doxepin •Droperidol •Enflurane •Erythromycin •Escitalopram •Etravirine •Flecainide •Fluconazole •Fluoxetine •Foscarnet •Gatifloxacin •Gemifloxacin •Glimepiride •Glipizide •Glyburide •Gonadorelin •Goserelin •Granisetron •Halofantrine •Haloperidol •Halothane •Histrelin •Hydroquinidine •Hydroxychloroquine •Ibutilide •Iloperidone •Imipramine •Isoflurane •Isradipine •Ivabradine •Lapatinib •Leuprolide •Levofloxacin •Lidocaine •Lidoflazine •Lorcainide •Lumefantrine •Mefloquine •Methadone •Metronidazole •Mexiletine •Mifepristone •Moxifloxacin •Nafarelin •Nalidixic Acid •Nilotinib •Norfloxacin •Nortriptyline •Octreotide •Ofloxacin •Ombitasvir •Ondansetron •Paliperidone •Panobinostat •Paritaprevir •Pasireotide •Pazopanib •Pentamidine •Perflutren Lipid Microsphere •Pirmenol •Prilocaine •Probucol •Procainamide •Prochlorperazine •Promethazine •Propafenone •Protriptyline •Quetiapine •Quinidine •Quinine •Risperidone •Salmeterol •Sertindole •Sevoflurane •Simeprevir •Sodium Phosphate •Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic •Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic •Solifenacin •Sorafenib •Sotalol •Spiramycin •Sulfamethoxazole •Sultopride •Sunitinib •Tacrolimus •Telavancin •Telithromycin •Tetrabenazine •Tizanidine •Tolazamide •Tolbutamide •Toremifene •Trazodone •Trifluoperazine •Trimethoprim •Trimipramine •Triptorelin •Vandetanib •Vardenafil •Vasopressin •Vemurafenib •Vinflunine •Voriconazole •Zolmitriptan •Zotepine

Using this medication with any of the following medications may increase your risk of side effects. However, using both medications may be the best treatment for you. If both medications are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you take one or both medications:

  • Atenolol •Dalfopristin •Digoxin •Fosphenytoin •Nevirapine •Phenytoin •Propranolol •Quinupristin •Rifampin •Rifapentine •Ritonavir •Warfarin

Other Interactions:

Certain medications should not be used while eating, or while eating certain foods in case of negative interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain mediations may also cause negative interactions. Talk with your doctor about the use of your medication with food, alcohol or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems:

Pre-existing medical problems may affect the use of this medication. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) - Disopyramide may cause low blood sugar
  • Difficult urination
  • Enlarged prostate - Disopyramide may cause difficult urination
  • Electrolyte disorders - Disopyramide may worsen heart rhythm problems
  • Glaucoma
  • Myasthenia gravis - Disopyramide may aggravate these conditions
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease - Effects may be increased because of slower removal of disopyramide from the body
  • Hypotension (low blood pressure)
  • Other heart disorders - Effects of disopyramide on the heart may make these conditions worse
  • Malnutrition, long term - Disopyramide may cause low blood sugar

3 Proper usage

To use Norpace properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor.

Only take this medication as directed by your doctor. Do not take more, less or for a longer or shorter period of time than your doctor tells you.

This medication comes with a patient information brochure. It is very important that your read this information. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Swallow the extended release capsules whole. Do not break, crush or chew them.

Swallow the extended release tablets whole. Do not crush or chew them.

This medication works best when there is a constant amount in your bloodstream. To help keep the amount constant, this medication must be taken in regular, evenly spaced doses.

Dosing:

Different patients will be given a different dose of this medication based on the strength of the medication. The number of doses you take each day, the time between doses and the length of time you take this medication depends on the reason you are taking this medication. The following information only includes the average dose of this medication. If your dose is different, do not change it without first speaking to your doctor.

Capsules:

  • Adults - 100-150mg taken every 6-8 hours.
  • Children - Dose is based on body weight and age and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is normally 6-30mg per kilogram of body weight taken every 6 hours.

Extended release capsules and tablets:

  • Adults - 200-400mg every 12 hours.
  • Children - Use is not recommended.

Missed dose:

If you miss a dose of this medication, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your normal dosing schedule. Do not double dose.

Storage:

Store this medication in a closed container at room temperature. Keep it away from heat, moisture and direct light. Do not freeze.

Keep our of the reach of children.

Do not keep expired medication or medication you no longer need. Ask your doctor how to dispose of any medication you do not use.

4 Precautions to take

Before using Norpace, there are some precautions you must take.

It is very important that your doctor checks in with the you often while you are receiving this medication to make sure that it is working properly.

Do not take other prescription or over-the-counter medications without asking your doctor.

Do not stop this medication without asking your doctor. Stopping suddenly may cause a serious change in heart function.

Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting may occur after you take this medication, especially when getting up suddenly from a laying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may lessen this problem. If you feel dizzy, lie back down so you do not faint. Sit for a few moments before standing to prevent the dizziness or lightheadedness from returning.

This medication may cause some people to blurred vision or other vision problems. Make sure you know how you react to this medication before driving, using machinery or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you cannot see well.

On rare occasions, this medication may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). If these signs appear, eat or drink a food containing sugar and call your doctor.

This medication may cause dryness of the mouth, eyes and nose. For temporary relief of mouth dryness, use sugarless candy or gum, melt ice chips in your mouth or use a saliva substitute. If dry mouth continues longer than 2 weeks, call your doctor. Continuing mouth dryness may increase the chance of dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease and oral yeast infections.

This medication can make you sweat less, which raises the body’s temperature. Be careful not to become overheated during exercise or hot weather while taking this medication, as becoming overheated can result in heat stroke.

5 Potential side effects

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Norpace.

Some side effects that may occur do not normally need medical attention. These may leave as your body becomes accustomed to treatment. Ask your doctor about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Ask your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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