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Overview: Disopyramide is a medicine taken for certain types of abnormal heart rhythms. It helps your heart beat normally. Common side effects include dry eyes, dry mouth, and constipation. Notify your health care provider right away if you notice new swelling in your hands, feet, or legs.

Uses

What is disopyramide used for?

Disopyramide is commonly taken to treat serious ventricular arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia. 

Disopyramide may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does disopyramide work (mechanism of action)?

Disopyramide works by blocking certain electrical signals in the heart that cause it to beat too fast or irregularly. This helps the heart beat normally again.

How is disopyramide supplied (dosage forms)?

Brand and other names

  • Norpace
  • Norpace CR

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 100 mg extended-release oral capsules
  • 150 mg extended-release oral capsules
  • 100 mg oral capsules
  • 150 mg oral capsules

How should I store disopyramide?

Disopyramide should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of disopyramide?

The most common side effects of disopyramide are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Dry mouth, nose, or eyes
  • Unable to empty your bladder (urinary retention)
  • Constipation
  • Blurred vision
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain or bloating 
  • General feeling of being unwell, tired, or not having your usual energy
  • Muscle weakness
  • Headache
  • Dizziness

There may be other side effects of disopyramide that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of disopyramide?

While less common, the most serious side effects of disopyramide are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Heart Failure. Disopyramide may increase your risk of heart failure. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of heart failure.

  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially while lying down
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Unusually fast weight gain
  • Unusual tiredness

Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension). Disopyramide may cause low blood pressure. This is more likely to happen in those with heart disease, such as heart failure. If you feel faint or dizzy, lie down. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of low blood pressure.

  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Confusion
  • Feeling weak or tired

Heart Rhythm Changes. Disopyramide may cause serious heart rhythm problems that can lead to an irregular heartbeat and fainting. In rare cases, this may cause the heart to suddenly stop beating. Some people have a higher risk of this, including people with existing heart disease or who take other medicines that affect the heart. Get emergency help if you have any of the following signs of heart rhythm changes.

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or fainting
  • Changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast, slow, pounding or skipping heartbeat

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia). Disopyramide can cause low blood sugar, which can be serious and may lead to death. You may need to check your blood sugar more often if you have changes to your diet, exercise regimen, or medicines for diabetes. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia.

  • Headache
  • Crankiness or anxiety
  • Hunger
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Blurry vision
  • Slurred speech
  • Sweating
  • Feeling jittery or shakiness
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Seizures

Severe Allergic Reactions. Disopyramide may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking disopyramide and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use disopyramide?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take disopyramide.

  • Disopyramide
  • Norpace
  • Norpace CR
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific disopyramide products they stock.

Heart Block. People who have certain types of heart block, such as atrioventricular (AV) block, should not take disopyramide unless they have a pacemaker. 

Long QT Syndrome. If you have long QT syndrome, a condition where your heart takes longer than usual to recover after each beat, you should not take disopyramide.

What should I know about disopyramide before using it?

Do not take disopyramide unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

You will likely start taking disopyramide at a hospital or clinic, so your healthcare provider can closely monitor your heart rate and rhythm.

Do not share disopyramide with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Disopyramide can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how disopyramide affects you.

Keep disopyramide out of the reach of children.

Your pharmacist can make a liquid form of this medicine. If you take liquid disopyramide, keep it refrigerated, between 36 F and 46 F (2 C to 8 C). Throw away any medicine left in the bottle after 30 days. Before each dose, shake the liquid medicine. Use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist to recommend an appropriate measuring device.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using disopyramide?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if disopyramide is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Disopyramide may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking disopyramide, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section below for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how disopyramide could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Disopyramide passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop disopyramide.

Interactions

Does disopyramide interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between disopyramide and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect disopyramide. The risk of dizziness and low blood sugar may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking disopyramide.

Does disopyramide interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking disopyramide.

  • Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others), which is a medicine to control seizures
  • A medicine used to control your heart rate or rhythm (antiarrhythmic)
  • A medicine for diabetes
  • A beta-blocker, such as metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, and others), atenolol (Tenormin), or propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL), which is a medicine that may be used for certain heart conditions or to lower blood pressure
  • Verapamil (Verelan, Verelan PM), which is a medicine used for high blood pressure or chest pain
  • Ketoconazole, which is a medicine used for fungal infections
  • Clarithromycin or erythromycin, which is a medicine used for bacterial infections

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of disopyramide. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with disopyramide. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much disopyramide?

If you or someone else has taken too much disopyramide, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of disopyramide?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.