Disopyramide is a prescription oral drug that is used to stabilize heart rhythms in patients with serious or life-threatening arrhythmias. It works by regulating electrical activity in the heart so that blood is pumped in and out of the chambers in a steadier fashion. There are some potentially serious risks of complications involved with disopyramide, so doctors usually try other less potent medications first before deciding to prescribe it. With proper usage, lifestyle changes, and careful monitoring by health-care workers, the majority of patients who take the drug are able to enjoy significant symptom relief.
Antiarrhythmic drugs such as disopyramide are selective sodium channel blockers. The flow of sodium ions in heart cells controls small electrical impulses, called action potentials, that trigger heart muscle contractions. Arrhythmia can occur if action potentials fire too fast or in abnormal patterns because of poorly controlled sodium ion flow. When disopyramide molecules reach the heart, they obstruct sodium ion channels and slow action potential firing down to its normal rate.
Disopyramide is available in fast-acting oral tablets and extended-release capsules. Hospitalized patients who are experiencing potentially fatal arrhythmias are usually given the tablets, while people with chronic but not immediately life-threatening conditions can take capsules at home. There is not a standard dose that all patients receive; rather, a doctor must determine the safest effective amount to prescribe based on the patient's age, weight, medication use, and personal medical history.
Common side effects when taking disopyramide include mild dizzy spells, weakness, drowsiness, and dry mouth. Some people also experience body aches, trouble urinating, and blurred or distorted vision. Such side effects are usually temporary and tend to level out after a few days of treatment, once the body adjusts to the medication. Rarely, an allergic reaction can occur shortly after taking a dose that results in an itchy skin rash and swelling in the face and airways.
A small number of patients experience major, potentially life-threatening side effects and complications when using disopyramide. It is possible for the heart to become overwhelmed by the drug and lead to an even more irregular heartbeat than a patient had before. Severe chest pains, shortness of breath, debilitating dizziness, and very high or low blood pressure can arise. If a serious reaction does occur, it is important to stop taking the medication and seek help at an emergency room as soon as possible. Doctors can treat symptoms and seek out a different type of medication or therapy to treat lingering arrhythmia problems.