What does it do?

Disopyramide is used to treat and prevent irregular heartbeats.

Before you start

• Tell your doctor if you have kidney, prostate, bladder or bowel problems, diabetes or angle-closure glaucoma.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

How should you take it?

Take disopyramide regularly as directed with a glass of water. You can take it with or without food.

What if you forget a dose?

If it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Can you take other medicines?

Some medicines available without a prescription may react with disopyramide including:

• sildenafil (e.g. Viagra®) or similar medicines
• some antihistamines or anti-nausea medicines such as promethazine (e.g. Phenergan®), hyoscine (e.g. Scopoderm®), meclozine (e.g. Sea-legs®)

Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking, including vitamins, herbal products or recreational drugs.

What side effects might you notice?

Side Effects	Recommended action
Symptoms of heart problems including: fluttering, pounding or pain in your chest, feeling your heart skips a beat, dizziness or fainting	Tell your doctor immediately
Low blood sugar: symptoms may include sweating, trembling, feeling anxious or irritable Swollen feet or legs, short of breath Confusion	Tell your doctor
Dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation or trouble peeing (anticholinergic effects) Nausea	Tell your doctor if troublesome

If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other information:

• Disopyramide can impair your ability to do tasks such as driving or using machines. Alcohol makes this worse. Discuss your risk with your health professional. (search NZTA - Are you safe to drive?)