DISOPYRAMIDE (Norpace ^®) is an antiarrhythmic agent. Disopyramide can help the heart to return to and maintain a normal heart rhythm. Disopyramide helps to slow rapid heartbeats (tachycardia). Generic disopyramide capsules are available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• abnormal levels of potassium in the blood
• bladder obstruction
• diabetes
• glaucoma
• heart disease or problems other than rhythm and heart rate problems
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• myasthenia gravis
• prostate trouble
• an unusual or allergic reaction to disopyramide, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

 How should I take this medicine?

Take disopyramide capsules or extended-release capsules by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the capsules with a drink of water; do not suck or chew the extended-release capsules. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Leave an interval of at least 4 hours between doses of regular capsules and 6 to 8 hours between doses of extended-release capsules. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with disopyramide?

• arsenic trioxide
• astemizole
• bepridil
• beta-blockers, often used for high blood pressure or heart problems
• bosentan
• certain antibiotics (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, gatifloxacin, grepafloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, sparfloxacin)
• cisapride
• cyclobenzaprine
• ginger
• hawthorn
• lidocaine
• medicines for colds or breathing difficulties (including asthma)
• medicines for mental depression such as tricyclic antidepressants
• medicines for anxiety, mental problems or psychotic disturbances
• medicines for movement abnormalities as in Parkinson’s disease, or for gastrointestinal problems
• medicines for seizures such as phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine
• medicines to control heart rhythm (examples: amiodarone, digoxin, dofetilide, sotalol, procainamide, quinidine)
• mexiletine
• pimozide
• potassium salts
• probucol
• rifampin
• ritonavir
• sevelamer
• terfenadine
• warfarin

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking disopyramide?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• change in the amount of urine passed, or difficulty passing urine
• chest pain, palpitations
• confusion
• cool, pale skin
• difficulty breathing
• fever, chills, or sore throat
• headache
• lightheadedness or fainting spells
• muscle weakness
• skin rash, itching
• swelling of feet or legs
• unusual weakness or tiredness
• unusual weight increase
• unusual hunger
• yellowing of the skin or eyes

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• dizziness, drowsiness
• blurred vision, dry eyes
• dry mouth and throat
• constipation, or less likely, diarrhea
• nausea, vomiting
• sexual difficulties
• stomach pain or bloating

Norpace CR

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Propranolol is in a group of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins).

Propranolol is used to treat tremors, angina (chest pain), hypertension (high blood pressure), heart rhythm disorders, and other heart or circulatory conditions. It is also used to treat or prevent heart attack, and to reduce the severity and frequency of migraine headaches.

Propranolol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

How should I take InnoPran XL (Propranolol)?

Take propranolol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Take this medication with a full glass of water.

Take propranolol at the same time every day.

Do not crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release capsule. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or opening the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Do not skip doses or stop taking propranolol without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon that you are using propranolol. You may need to briefly stop using propranolol before having surgery.

Propranolol is only part of a complete program of treatment for hypertension that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely if you are being treated for hypertension.

Hypertension often has no symptoms, so you may not even feel that you have high blood pressure. Continue using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

What are the possible side effects of InnoPran XL (Propranolol)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• slow or uneven heartbeats
• feeling light-headed, fainting
• feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion
• swelling of your ankles or feet
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• depression; or
• cold feeling in your hands and feet

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm
• sleep problems (insomnia)
• tired feeling; or
• anxiety, nervousness

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs affect InnoPran XL (Propranolol)?

Before taking propranolol, tell your doctor if you are using:

• allergy treatments (or if you are undergoing allergy skin-testing)
• clonidine (Catapres)
• guanabenz (Wytensin)
• an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam)
• a diabetes medication such as insulin, glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase), glipizide (Glucotrol), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), or metformin (Glucophage)
• a heart medication such as nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), reserpine (Serpasil), verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Isoptin), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem)
• medicine for asthma or other breathing disorders, such as albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil), bitolterol (Tornalate), metaproterenol (Alupent), pirbuterol (Maxair), terbutaline (Brethaire, Brethine, Bricanyl), and theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair); or
• cold medicines, stimulant medicines, or diet pills

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to take propranolol, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect propranolol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What happens if I overdose on InnoPran XL (Propranolol)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of an propranolol overdose may include uneven heartbeats, shortness of breath, bluish-colored fingernails, dizziness, weakness, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

What happens if I miss a dose of InnoPran XL (Propranolol)?

For regular (short-acting) propranolol: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If your next dose is less than 4 hours away, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.

For extended-release propranolol (Inderal LA, InnoPran XL and others): Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If your next dose is less than 8 hours away, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.

Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What is the most important information I should know about InnoPran XL (Propranolol)?

Do not stop taking propranolol without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

If you need to have any type of surgery, you may need to temporarily stop using propranolol. Be sure the surgeon knows ahead of time that you are using propranolol.

Propranolol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid drinking alcohol, which could increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking propranolol.

Propranolol is only part of a complete program of treatment for hypertension that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely if you are being treated for hypertension.

Hypertension often has no symptoms, so you may not even feel that you have high blood pressure. Continue using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

Where can I get more information regarding InnoPran XL (Propranolol)?

Your pharmacist has additional information about propranolol written for health professionals that you may read.

 Innopran XL

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