Norpace

Product Information

Norpace (Rythmodan in Canada) is used to treat severe irregular heartbeat. Norpace (Rythmodan in Canada) relaxes an overactive heart and improves the efficiency of the heart's pumping action. Do not stop taking Norpace (Rythmodan in Canada) without first consulting your doctor. Stopping suddenly can cause serious changes in heart function. Be sure to take Norpace (Rythmodan in Canada) exactly as prescribed. Norpace (Rythmodan in Canada) can be used for only certain types of irregular heartbeat, and must not be used for others. Treatment with Norpace (Rythmodan in Canada) should be started in the hospital.

Norpace (Rythmodan in Canada) may cause dry mouth. For temporary relief suck on a hard candy, chew gum, or melt ice chips in your mouth.

If you miss a dose of Norpace (Rythmodan in Canada), take it as soon as you remember, if the next dose is 4 or more hours away. If you do not remember until later, skip the dose you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take 2 doses of Norpace (Rythmodan in Canada) at once.

Norpace (Rythmodan in Canada) side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Norpace (Rythmodan in Canada).


More common Norpace (Rythmodan in Canada) side effects may include:
Abdominal pain, aches and pains, bloating and gas, blurred vision, constipation, dizziness, dry eyes, nose, and throat, dry mouth, fatigue, headache, inability to urinate, increased urinary frequency and urgency, muscle weakness, nausea, vague feeling of bodily discomfort

Less common or rare Norpace (Rythmodan in Canada) side effects may include:
Breast development in males, chest pain, congestive heart failure, depression, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, difficulty sleeping, fainting, fever, impotence, itching, low blood pressure, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), nervousness, numbness or tingling, painful urination, rash, psychosis, shortness of breath, skin diseases, swelling due to fluid retention, vomiting, weight gain, yellow eyes and skin.

If you have structural heart disease, inflammation of the heart muscle, or other heart disorders, use Norpace (Rythmodan in Canada) with extreme caution.

Norpace (Rythmodan in Canada) may cause or worsen congestive heart failure and can cause severe low blood pressure. If you have a history of heart failure, your doctor will carefully monitor your heart function while you are taking Norpace (Rythmodan in Canada).

Norpace (Rythmodan in Canada) can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially if you have congestive heart failure; poor nutrition; or kidney, liver, or other diseases; or if you are taking beta-blocking blood pressure drugs such as Tenormin or drinking alcohol.

Your doctor will prescribe Norpace (Rythmodan in Canada) along with other heart-regulating drugs, such as quinidine, procainamide, encainide, flecainide, propafenone, and propranolol, only if the irregular rhythm is considered life-threatening and other antiarrhythmic medication has not worked.

If you have the eye condition called glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, or difficulty urinating (particularly if you have a prostate condition), use this drug cautiously.

You will take lower dosages if you have liver or kidney disease.

Your doctor should check your potassium levels before starting you on Norpace (Rythmodan in Canada). Low potassium levels may make this drug ineffective; high levels may increase its toxic effects.

Avoid alcoholic beverages while taking Norpace (Rythmodan in Canada).

If Norpace (Rythmodan in Canada) is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Norpace (Rythmodan in Canada) with the following:

Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
Drugs that inhibit the breakdown of other drugs by the liver, including Tagamet
Erythromycin (Eryc, Ery-Tab, PCE)
Other heart-regulating drugs such as quinidine (Quinidex), procainamide (Procan SR), lidocaine (Xylocaine), propranolol (Inderal), Verapamil (Calan)
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Troleandomycin (Tao)

Your doctor will adjust your Norpace (Rythmodan in Canada) dosage according to your own response to, and tolerance of, Norpace (Rythmodan) or Norpace CR (Rythmodan LA).

The usual dosage range of Norpace (Rythmodan) and Norpace CR (Rythmodan LA) is 400 milligrams to 800 milligrams per day, divided into smaller doses.

The recommended dosage for most adults is 600 milligrams per day, divided into smaller doses (either 150 milligrams every 6 hours for immediate-release Norpace or 300 milligrams every 12 hours for Norpace CR).

For those who weigh less than 110 pounds, the recommended dosage is 400 milligrams per day, divided into smaller doses (either 100 milligrams every 6 hours for immediate-release Norpace or 200 milligrams every 12 hours for Norpace CR.

For people with severe heart disease, the starting dose will be 100 milligrams of immediate-release Norpace every 6 to 8 hours. Your doctor will adjust the dosage gradually and watch you closely for any signs of low blood pressure or heart failure.

For people with moderately reduced kidney or liver function, the dosage is 400 milligrams per day, divided into smaller doses (either 100 milligrams every 6 hours for immediate-release Norpace or 200 milligrams every 12 hours for Norpace CR). This dosage is also recommended for people with glaucoma (high pressure in the eye), urinary retention, or an enlarged prostate gland, in the event they develop side effects.

For those who have severe kidney impairment, the dosage of immediate-release Norpace is 100 milligrams; the times will vary with the individual as determined by your doctor.

Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. An overdose of Norpace (Rythmodan in Canada) can be fatal. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical treatment immediately.


The symptoms of Norpace (Rythmodan in Canada) overdose may include:
Cessation of breathing, irregular heartbeat, loss of consciousness, low blood pressure, slow heartbeat, worsening of congestive heart failure.