Disopyramide Phosphate
Also known as: Norpace, Norpace CR, Dicorantil, Dirythmin, Dirytmin, DisoDuriles, Disomet, Disonorm, Durbis, Isomide, Isorythm, Ritmodan, Ritmoforine, Rythmical, Rythmodan, Rythmodul
> **Important**: This medication must be given on a strict schedule due to how quickly it leaves your dog's body. Do not skip doses or double up on missed doses. * **Watch for side effects**: Because of how this drug works, it can cause "drying" effects. Contact your veterinarian if your pet experiences dry mouth, dry eyes, constipation, or difficulty urinating. * **Monitor breathing and energy**: If your pet becomes unusually lethargic, depressed, or has difficulty breathing, seek veterinary care immediately, as this could indicate an adverse effect on the heart's pumping ability or blood pressure.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Antiarrhythmic (almost never used)
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Dry mouth, eyes, or nose
- Constipation
- Urinary hesitancy or retention
- Urinary frequency and urgency
- Edema
- Hypotension
- Dyspnea
- Syncope
- Conduction disturbances (e.g., AV block)
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Intrahepatic cholestasis
- Hypoglycemia
- Fatigue and headache
- Muscle weakness and pain
Cautions & contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to the drug
- 2nd or 3rd degree AV block (unless a pacemaker is inserted)
- Cardiogenic shock
- Severe uncompensated or poorly compensated cardiac failure
- Hypotension
- Glaucoma (closed-angle)
- Urinary retention
- Myasthenia gravis
- Use with extreme caution in patients with sick sinus syndrome, bundle branch block, or Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. Patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter must be digitalized before disopyramide therapy to negate increased ventricular response. Use with caution (and possibly at a reduced dosage) in patients with hepatic or renal disease. Use with caution in nursing animals as the drug is excreted in milk.
Drug interactions
- Anticholinergic drugs (atropine, glycopyrrolate): Additive anticholinergic effects may be encountered.
- Cisapride: Additional prolongation of the QT interval.
- Macrolide antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin): Increased disopyramide levels; prolongation of QT interval may occur.
- Phenobarbital: May increase disopyramide's metabolism and reduce serum levels.
- Procainamide, Lidocaine: May be used concurrently, but widening of QRS and prolongation of QT interval may occur.
- Quinidine: May increase disopyramide levels; disopyramide may decrease quinidine levels.
- Rifampin: May increase disopyramide's metabolism and reduce serum levels.
- Verapamil: Because of additional negative inotropic effects, use of disopyramide within 48 hours of using verapamil is not recommended.
- Propranolol: May cause additive negative inotropic effects.
Frequently asked questions
What is Disopyramide Phosphate used for in pets?
> **Important**: This medication must be given on a strict schedule due to how quickly it leaves your dog's body. Do not skip doses or double up on missed doses. * **Watch for side effects**: Because of how this drug works, it can cause "drying" effects. Contact your veterinarian if your pet experiences dry mouth, dry eyes, constipation, or difficulty urinating. * **Monitor breathing and energy**: If your pet becomes unusually lethargic, depressed, or has difficulty breathing, seek veterinary care immediately, as this could indicate an adverse effect on the heart's pumping ability or blood pressure.
Is Disopyramide Phosphate safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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