Disopyramide for irregular heartbeats

About disopyramide

Disopyramide is used to treat arrhythmias. An arrhythmia is an irregularity in your heartbeat, which causes your heart to skip a beat, beat unevenly, or beat very fast or very slowly.

Disopyramide restores your normal heart rhythm by controlling the irregular heartbeats. It can also help stop unusual heartbeats from occurring after a heart attack.

Before taking disopyramide

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking disopyramide it is important that your doctor knows:

• If you have heart failure, or any heart problems other than your abnormal heart rhythm.

• If you have an eye condition called glaucoma.

• If you have any problems with your liver, kidneys, or prostate gland.

• If you have a condition causing muscle weakness, called myasthenia gravis.

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding.

• If you have a rare inherited blood condition called porphyria.

• If you are taking or using any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.

How to take disopyramide

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The leaflet will give you more information about disopyramide and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take disopyramide exactly as your doctor has told you to. If you have been supplied with capsules, it is usual to take 300-800 mg divided into several doses over the course of a day (this can mean taking 1-2 capsules, three to four times daily). If you have been supplied with tablets, it is usual to take 1-1½ tablets, twice a day. Your doctor will tell you what the right dose is for you, and this will be printed on the label of your pack to remind you.

• Swallow the capsules/tablets with a drink of water. Do not open the capsules, and do not chew or crush the tablets.

• Try to take your doses around the same times of day, as this will help you to remember to take them. You can take disopyramide before or after meals.

• If you do forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can check on your progress. Your doctor will want you to have regular tests during this treatment to check your heart rhythm and blood pressure. You will also need to have regular blood tests.

• Treatment with disopyramide is usually long-term unless you experience an adverse effect. Continue to take your doses unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

• If you have diabetes you may need to check your blood sugar (glucose) more frequently, as disopyramide may affect the levels of sugar in your blood. Your doctor will advise you about this.

• If you are having an operation or any medical treatment, remember to tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking disopyramide.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable for you to take alongside disopyramide.

Can disopyramide cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with disopyramide. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store disopyramide

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.

• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines