DISOPYRAMIDE PHOSPHATE

Drug Name: DISOPYRAMIDE PHOSPHATE

DISOPYRAMIDE PHOSPHATE DESCRIPTION:
DISOPYRAMIDE - ORAL (dye-so-PIR-uh-mide)

COMMON DISOPYRAMIDE PHOSPHATE BRAND NAME(S):
Norpace

DISOPYRAMIDE PHOSPHATE SIDE EFFECTS:
Blurred vision, dry mouth, constipation, difficulty urinating or dizziness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor. Inform your doctor if you develop: chest pain, rapid heartbeat, confusion, easy bruising or bleeding, breathing difficulties, rash. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE DISOPYRAMIDE PHOSPHATE:
DISOPYRAMIDE PHOSPHATE: This is best taken with a full glass of water on an empty stomach one hour before or two hours after meals. If stomach upset occurs, it may be taken with food. Sustained-release tablets and capsules must be swallowed whole. Do not crush or chew them. DISOPYRAMIDE PHOSPHATE works best when there is a constant level of the drug in your body. To do this, take each dose as prescribed at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night. Try to take each dose at the same time each day. Do not stop taking DISOPYRAMIDE PHOSPHATE without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may worsen if the drug is stopped suddenly.

DISOPYRAMIDE PHOSPHATE WARNING:
DISOPYRAMIDE PHOSPHATE sometimes produces new irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). Therefore, it should be used in carefully selected patients. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

DISOPYRAMIDE PHOSPHATE USES:
DISOPYRAMIDE PHOSPHATE is used to treat irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias).

DISOPYRAMIDE PHOSPHATE PRECAUTIONS:
Tell your doctor your medical history, especially: muscle problems (myasthenia gravis), high blood pressure, glaucoma (or a family history of glaucoma), heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, prostate or urinating problems, any allergies. Because DISOPYRAMIDE PHOSPHATE may cause dizziness, use caution performing activities requiring alertness (e.g., driving) and limit alcohol consumption. DISOPYRAMIDE PHOSPHATE should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Disopyramide is excreted into breast milk. Though there have been no reports to date of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DISOPYRAMIDE PHOSPHATE DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Before you take DISOPYRAMIDE PHOSPHATE, tell your doctor of any over-the-counter or prescription drugs you are taking, especially: phenobarbital; phenytoin; procainamide; propranolol; quinidine; warfarin; rifampin; macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin); quinolone antibiotics (e.g., gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin); cisapride; mizolastine. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

DISOPYRAMIDE PHOSPHATE OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose include unconsciousness, low blood pressure, seizures, and change in heart rhythm.

DISOPYRAMIDE PHOSPHATE NOTES:
Your doctor may want you to take your pulse each day while you take DISOPYRAMIDE PHOSPHATE. Learn how to monitor your pulse. To evaluate the effectiveness of DISOPYRAMIDE PHOSPHATE, your doctor may periodically take a blood sample to measure the amount of the drug in your body. Do not allow anyone else to take DISOPYRAMIDE PHOSPHATE.

MISSED DISOPYRAMIDE PHOSPHATE DOSE:
If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered unless the next scheduled dose is within 4 hours. If so, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

DISOPYRAMIDE PHOSPHATE STORAGE:
Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom. Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information on enrollment call Medic Alert(TM) at 1-800-854-1166. In Canada call 1-800-668-1507.