Disopyramide
About Disopyramide
Disopyramide belongs to a group of medicines called anti-arrhythmic agents used to treat irregular heartbeats. An irregular heartbeat is a condition in which your heart beats irregularly, too fast, or too slow. Disopyramide helps slow the heart rate and prevent arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms).
Disopyramide contains disopyramide, i.e., anti-arrhythmic agents. It helps to correct irregular heartbeats to a normal rhythm by blocking certain electrical signals in the heart. An irregular heartbeat treatment reduces the risk of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke.
Disopyramide should be taken as prescribed by the doctor. Your doctor might conduct ECGs and blood pressure monitoring during the treatment to monitor your dose. Some people may experience common side effects like blurred or double vision, stomach pain, little or no urinating, and low blood sugar. Most of these side effects of Disopyramide do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist, please consult your doctor.
If you are known to be allergic to Disopyramide or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Disopyramide is not recommended for use in children. Pregnant or breastfeeding women are advised to consult a doctor before taking Disopyramide. Inform your doctor before taking Disopyramide if you have kidney or liver disease, enlarged prostate, glaucoma (increased eye pressure), or low potassium levels in the blood (hypokalaemia). Do not take Disopyramide if you are already on other medications to regulate your heartbeat. Do not drive or operate machinery as Disopyramide might cause blurred vision, dizziness, and low blood pressure. Take Disopyramide with caution if you are elderly (age above 65), have low body weight, or have kidney or liver problems.
Uses of Disopyramide
Medicinal Benefits
Disopyramide is an anti-arrhythmic agent that is used to treat irregular heartbeats. Disopyramide works by blocking certain electrical signals in the heart, which cause an irregular heartbeat. Thus, it slows down the rate at which the heart beats and makes the heart rate normal. Disopyramide improves heart failure symptoms such as exercise capacity and reduces the number of hospitalizations.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Disopyramide
- Low blood sugar
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Headache
- Constipation
- Muscle weakness
- Blurred vision
- Muscle pain or weakness.
- Difficult urination
- Dry eyes, nose, and throat
- Urinary retention
- Frequent urination
- Bloating and gas pains
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
Drug Warnings
Pregnant women are advised to consult a doctor before taking Disopyramide. Do not take Disopyramide if you are a breast-feeding woman. If you are known to be allergic to Disopyramide or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Avoid intake of alcohol with Disopyramide as it may increase the risk of drowsiness. Disopyramide may cause vision problems in some people. Make sure you are not affected before driving. Take Disopyramide with caution if you have kidney or liver disease, enlarged prostate, heart disease, or low blood sugar levels. Before taking Disopyramide, inform your doctor if you are already taking medicines such as antibiotics and antifungal medicines, an anti-malarial (halofantrine), laxatives to treat constipation, anticoagulants, e.g., warfarin, a medicine used to treat glaucoma (acetazolamide), antivirals, e.g., ritonavir, saquinavir. Speak to your doctor immediately if you have an allergic reaction, palpitations, or an uneven fast or slow heartbeat.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Disopyramide may interact with medicines used to treat fungal infections (e.g. Ketoconazole), antibiotic medicines (clarithromycin, erythromycin), other heart rhythm medicines (flecainide, encainide, propranolol, propafenone, quinidine), antivirals (ritonavir, indinavir, saquinavir), beta-blockers (atenolol, sotalol, propranolol), diuretics ('water' tablet) (frusemide, bendrofluazide), anti-epileptics (phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone), anticoagulants (warfarin) and antihistamines (terfenadine, mizolastine, astemizole).
Drug-Food Interactions: Disopyramide may interact with alcohol. Therefore, avoid alcohol intake while taking Disopyramide.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Long QT syndrome (A heart rhythm disorder), serious heart conditions such as 'AV block, diabetes, enlarged prostate, and bladder obstruction.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption with Disopyramide as it may increase drowsiness and reduce the amount of Disopyramide in the blood leading to abnormal heart function.
Pregnancy
cautionDisopyramide should not be taken until prescribed. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Breast Feeding
cautionDisopyramide should not be taken until prescribed. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Driving
unsafeDisopyramide may cause dizziness and blurred vision in some people. So, make sure you are not affected before driving or operating machinery.
Liver
cautionTake Disopyramide with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Disopyramide with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
unsafeDisopyramide is not recommended for use in children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a low-salt diet and minimize eating processed foods as they contain more sodium.
- Regular exercise lowers blood pressure and keeps blood vessels and the heart in good condition.
- Quit smoking as smoking increases blood pressure and heart rate.
- Eat a balanced and healthy diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits, and low-fat or fat-free products.
Special Advise
- Low salt diet and regular exercise are recommended along with Disopyramide for effective results.
- A regular electrocardiogram (ECG) should be done to see the effect of Disopyramide on your heartbeat.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Arrhythmias: Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat) is a condition in which your heart beats abnormally, too fast, or too slow. Symptoms of irregular heartbeat include chest pain, shortness of breath, and fast or slow heartbeat. 60 to 100 beats per minute is generally considered a normal heart rate. Pulse indicates your heart rate or the number of times your heart beats in a minute. Normally, the pulse rate increases when you exercise and is slower when you are at rest. Tachycardia is when the heart beats faster than normal, and bradycardia is when the heart beats too slowly. Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of arrhythmia, which causes an irregular and fast heartbeat. Your doctor may run certain tests to diagnose if you have an arrhythmia. Treatment to restore a normal heart rhythm may include medicines like Disopyramide, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), a pacemaker, or surgery.
FAQs
Disopyramide contains disopyramide that works by blocking abnormal electrical signals in the heart. Thus Disopyramide helps to treat uneven heartbeats and helps in normalizing the heart rhythm.
No, you are not recommended to take amiodarone with Disopyramide as co-administration of these two medicines may increase the levels of Disopyramide in the blood resulting in Disopyramide toxicity. However, please consult a doctor before taking other medicines with Disopyramide to adjust the dose appropriately.
Do not stop using Disopyramide even if you feel better. It should be strictly used as advised by your doctor to avoid recurring symptoms like irregular heartbeat and to worsen the disease.
Disopyramide should be used with caution in cases of any allergic reactions, heart problems like heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation (heart muscle takes longer than usual to recharge between beats) in the ECG (electrocardiogram), and electrolyte imbalance (low levels of potassium and magnesium).
Store Disopyramide away from direct sunlight and at a temperature not exceeding 30°C. Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children.
If you missed a dose, take Disopyramide as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose.
Yes, Disopyramide may cause dry mouth as a temporary side effect in some people. It is not necessary for everyone taking Disopyramide to experience this side effect. However, to avoid such side effects, drink plenty of water, regularly rinse your mouth, practice good oral hygiene and suck on sugarless candy. However, if the condition persists or worsens, please consult a doctor.
