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Disopyramide
Disopyramide is given to treat certain types of serious heart rhythm problems. This prescription medication is available as an immediate-release or a controlled-release capsule. The immediate-release form can also be made into a liquid suspension. Possible side effects include dry mouth, constipation, and difficulty urinating. This medication is taken every 6 or 12 hours, depending on the particular product you are using.
What Is Disopyramide?
Disopyramide (Norpace®, Norpace® CR) is a prescription medication approved to treat certain types of serious heart rhythm problems. It comes in an immediate-release form (Norpace) and a controlled-release form (Norpace CR). Controlled-release disopyramide is specially designed to slowly release the medication into the body, so it can be taken fewer times a day than immediate-release disopyramide.Disopyramide belongs to a group of medications known as antiarrhythmics. More specifically, it is considered a Class IA antiarrhythmic medication.
(Click What Is Disopyramide Used For? for more information on this topic, including possible off-label uses.)
Are There Side Effects?
Just like any medicine, disopyramide can cause side effects. However, not everyone who uses the drug will experience problems. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well.If reactions do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are treated easily by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects seen with disopyramide include but are not limited to:
- Dry mouth
- Difficulty urinating
- Constipation.
(Click Disopyramide Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Written by/reviewed by: Susan Lakey, PharmD, MPH, BCPP
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD