Experience with Disopyramid please.

[AFCyclist]

My AF has returned at about 3 bouts a month. My EP has suggested a change from Sotalol to Disopyramid. Any experience or comments about Disopyramid would be helpful.

[Jalia]

I've been on Disopyramide on and off for about 28 years. My EP informs me that I'm his only patient on this particular drug. Apparently it is considered to be most useful when AF is thought to be if vagal origin. It is seldom used these days.( I'm refractory to other drug treatments.)

I've had no particular problem with it . It does cause dry eyes and mouth though .

[AFCyclist in reply to Jalia]

Jalia thank you, very helpful.

My EP did mention the vagal tone link.

He is also checking on current availability.

[Jalia in reply to AFCyclist]

There were supply problems for several months but seems to have been sorted now. I had a stock pile and with help from hospital pharmacy I managed to cope.

[Abbyroza in reply to Jalia]

hi, I’m considering switching from Flecainide to Disopyramid, but I’m hesitating because of its known anti-cholinergic properties, which might cause urine retention. Have you experienced anything of the kind? Thanks and long lasting NSR!

[Jalia in reply to Abbyroza]

Yes , Abbyroza, I do experience urinary retention. I realise that this may cause problems for some. I was aware of the anti cholinergic properties .

. Having taken this drug for so long there doesn't appear to be any long lasting effects from this. At least none that I'm aware of(!) The advantage, for me at any rate, is that I do not need to get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, unlike my contemporaries.....I'm in my 80th year.

[Abbyroza in reply to Jalia]

Thank you! Might serve me well, then! 😉

[opal11uk]

During the 24 odd years I have had A/F I have taken most drugs that are on the market, Disopyramide I was on for many years until suddenly it went out of production, I couldn't source it anywhere and had to change yet again. I was very disappointed and worried too because this drug had served me well, I would take it again. The only contraindication for my was dry eyes and dry mouth.

[hausjac]

I’ve been taking Disopyramide for nearly 40 years along with Bisoprolol for SVT caused by an accessory pathway in my heart aka atrio ventricular reentrant tachycardia. I used to take the retard version 250mg twice daily until production difficulties meant I went onto 100mg caps and now have reduced my dosage to 300mg/day. This works very well for me and when I was diagnosed with paroxysmal AF 4 years ago which luckily at the moment is asymptomatic my cardio left me on these drugs and I’ve been fine.

Yes it is an old drug and sometimes there are production difficulties but this seems to be prevalent with a lot of drugs nowadays. I just still order 500mg and stockpile the 200mg I don’t need! All other anti arrhythmics were a nightmare. Flecainide gave me tunnel vision and didn’t work on my SVTs, Amiodorone and Verapamil didn’t work either. My cardio at the time added Bisoprolol 10mg which I’ve also taken for over 30 years but I reduced it myself to 7.5mg about / years ago with cardio approval and have been fine. He reckons these 2 drugs work well to keep my PAF under control so ……. Sorry for v long message!

[Abbyroza in reply to hausjac]

hi, I’m considering switching from Flecainide to Disopyramid, but I’m hesitating because of its known anti-cholinergic properties, which might cause urine retention. Have you experienced anything of the kind? Thanks and long lasting NSR!

[hausjac in reply to Abbyroza]

No never had that problem. Can give you a dry mouth but I can’t say I’ve noticed anything else

[Crystamycin]

Having had adverse reactions eventually, to several antiarrhythmic drugs, I am prescribed Disopyramide 500mgs daily by my Cardiologist. In the three years of taking this drug, it has so far, been successful in stabilising the heart. The side affects of dryness is managed okay. Unfortunately there is still a shortage of the 250mg strength, which in tablet form, suits me better than the 100mg capsules, which has a kind of plastic coating, tending to cause stomach irritation. This in turn necessitated in taking what is a very efficient proton-pump-inhibitor to counteract Gerd and stomach pain. I am also looking into alternative natural derivatives of this ante acid drug Pantoprazole, which has been very good, although from what I understand, long term usage is not recommended. I have also read that Disopyramide is effective for Vagal AF. Also, as other members have stated, hydration is very important in managing all aspects of AF. Neon Pharmaceuticals apparently the only manufacturer in the UK of Disopyramide, have recently said that the 250mgs strength are back in stock, however, they are taking time to be distributed to the pharmacies. I hope this helps.

[Abbyroza in reply to Crystamycin]

hi, I’m considering switching from Flecainide to Disopyramid, but I’m hesitating because of its known anti-cholinergic properties, which might cause urine retention. Have you experienced anything of the kind? Thanks and long lasting NSR!

[AFCyclist]

Thankyou all for your comments.