Disopyramide

The Basics

What is Disopyramide?

Antiarrhythmic medication used to treat certain types of irregular heartbeats.

Brand names for Disopyramide

Norpace

How Disopyramide is classified

Antiarrhythmics

Disopyramide During Pregnancy

Disopyramide pregnancy category

Category CNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Disopyramide while pregnant

Norpace (disopyramide phosphate) was associated with decreased numbers of implantation sites and decreased growth and survival of pups when administered to pregnant rats at 250 mg/ kg/day (20 or more times the usual daily human dose of 12 mg/kg, assuming a patient weight of at least 50 kg), a level at which weight gain and food consumption of dams were also reduced. Increased resorption rates were reported in rabbits at 60 mg/kg/ day (5 or more times the usual daily human dose). Effects on implantation, pup growth, and survival were not evaluated in rabbits. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Nor-pace or Norpace (disopyramide phosphate) CR should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Taking Disopyramide While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Disopyramide?

Disopyramide is sometimes found in the plasma of nursing infants at levels of 7.5% to 12.5% of the mother’s levels. The N-monodesalkyldisopyramide (NMD) metabolite is more anticholinergic than disopyramide itself and appears in breastmilk in levels higher than disopyramide. However, of the cases reported, there are no reports of infant effects. Disopyramide may be used cautiously while breastfeeding when other alternatives are unacceptable. Observe the infant for anticholinergic symptoms. Infant serum concentrations can be monitored if there is any concern about drug-induced adverse effects. Theoretically, disopyramide might decrease the milk supply.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Disopyramide is sometimes found in the plasma of nursing infants at levels of 7.5% to 12.5% of the mother’s levels. The N-monodesalkyldisopyramide (NMD) metabolite is more anticholinergic than disopyramide itself and appears in breastmilk in levels higher than disopyramide. However, of the cases reported, there are no reports of infant effects. Disopyramide may be used cautiously while breastfeeding when other alternatives are unacceptable. Observe the infant for anticholinergic symptoms. Infant serum concentrations can be monitored if there is any concern about drug-induced adverse effects. Theoretically, disopyramide might decrease the milk supply.

Possible effects of Disopyramide on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Disopyramide

None listed