Norpace (Disopyramide Phosphate) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

Pill Identifier Search

May 26, 2012

Norpace

Arrhythmia »

Introduction to Arrhythmia

An irregular heartbeat is an arrhythmia (also called dysrhythmia). Heart rates can also be irregular. A normal heart rate is 50 to 100 beats per minute. Arrhythmias and abnormal heart rates don't necessarily occur together. Arrhythmias can occur with a normal heart rate, or with heart rates that are slow (called bradyarrhythmias -- less than 50 beats per minute). Arrhythmias can also occur with rapid heart rates (called tachyarrhythmias -- faster than 100 beats per minute). In the United States, more than 850,000 people are hospitalized for an arrhythmia each year.

What causes an arrhythmia?

Arrhythmias may be caused by many different factors, including:

Coronary artery disease.
Electrolyte imbalances in your blood (such as sodium or potassium).
Changes in your heart muscle.
Injury from a heart attack.
Healing process after heart surgery.
Irregula...

Read the Arrhythmia article »

« Previous
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Next »

Norpace User Reviews >>

Norpace

Heart Disease Slideshow Pictures

Medical Illustrations of the Heart Image Collection

Take the Heart Disease Quiz!

font size

Norpace®
(disopyramide phosphate) Capsules

Norpace®CR
(disopyramide phosphate) Extended-Release Capsules

DRUG DESCRIPTION

Norpace (disopyramide phosphate) is an anti-arrhythmic drug available for oral administration in immediate-release and controlled-release capsules containing 100 mg or 150 mg of disopyramide base, present as the phosphate. The base content of the phosphate salt is 77.6%. The structural formula of Norpace (disopyramide phosphate) is:

Norpace® (disopyramide phosphate) Structural Formula Illustration

α-[2-(diisopropylamino) ethyl]-α-phenyl-2-pyridineacetamide phosphate

Norpace (disopyramide phosphate) is freely soluble in water, and the free base (pKa 10.4) has an aqueous solubility of 1mg/ml. The chloroform: water partition coefficient of the base is 3.1 at pH 7.2.

Norpace (disopyramide phosphate) is a racemic mixture of d- and l- isomers. This drug is not chemically related to other anti-arrhythmic drugs.

Norpace (disopyramide phosphate) CR (controlled-release) capsules are designed to afford a gradual and consistent release of disopyramide. Thus, for maintenance therapy, Nor-pace CR provides the benefit of less-frequent dosing (every 12 hours) as compared with the every-6-hour dosage schedule of immediate-release Norpace (disopyramide phosphate) capsules.

Inactive ingredients of Norpace (disopyramide phosphate) include corn starch, edible ink, FD&C Red No. 3, FD&C Yellow No. 6, gelatin, lactose, talc, and titanium dioxide; the 150-mg capsule also contains FD&C Blue No.1.

Inactive ingredients of Norpace (disopyramide phosphate) CR include corn starch, D&C Yellow No. 10, edible ink, ethylcellulose, FD&C Blue No. 1, gelatin, shellac, sucrose, talc, and titanium dioxide; the 150-mg capsule also contains FD&C Red No. 3 and FD&C Yellow No. 6.

What are the possible side effects of disopyramide (Norpace, Norpace CR)?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking disopyramide and seek emergency medical attention:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
a new or a worsening irregular heartbeat pattern;
chest pain, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or swelling of your legs or feet; or
severe dizziness.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to your...

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Norpace »

What are the precautions when taking disopyramide phosphate (Norpace)?

Before taking disopyramide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: diabetes, glaucoma, kidney disease, liver problems, myasthenia gravis, urinary problems (such as due to enlarged prostate, urinary retention).

This drug may rarely make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this...

Read All Potential Precautions of Norpace »

Last reviewed on RxList: 7/17/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.