Hi all, I have been on Disopyramide (Rhythmodan Retard 250mg) for the past 5/6 years, but now finding it almost impossible to obtain from the pharmacists in the Wiltshire area, so I am looking for an alternative.
Back in January, my GP switched me to Bisprolol, but that didn't work as its rate rather than rhythm control, so it was back to the Disopyramide while I had a supply.
As Disopyramide is getting harder to source, I started the discussion with regard to an ablation and am now waiting for an ECG and a follow on discussion with a Bournemouth based surgeon.
If I am accepted for the ablation there is a 12 month waiting list, so regardless of that decision I will still need to find a replacement for Disopyramide.
Searching through the forum I can see people discussing Tikosyn, Flecanide, Diltiazem and Norpace, of which only Flecanide has been mentioned by my GP.
Of those of you that have been on Disopyramide , what have you been switched to and what has been your experience with in efficacy and continuity of supply?
Isn't Norpace also Disopyramide? If so is that available in a modified release version?
Are there any recommendations/cautions with regard to other rhythm control drugs?
All advice very much appreciated.
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Look on your tablets at what company makes Disopyramide, then ring them to see if there is a problem with supply. They may be able to tell you the wholesaler who can still supply the drug. Then you can tell your pharmacy and they will order it. I did that when I wanted a particular make of Flecainide and the company who made it were really helpful. They told me which major wholesalers could supply it.
Since changing to Boots pharmacy I've had no problem getting pills I want.
I've been taking Disopyramide for nearly 40 years now as other drugs did not work with me. Yes production problems can be a pain. I was on the Retard version at 250mg twice a day until it became difficult to get at one point. I then switched to the 100mg version taking two in the morning one in the afternoon and two at night. A pain but it worked. In fact I found after a while that I only needed 300mg a day so adjusted my dose accordingly and cardio happy if I was happy. I still order the larger dose so I can stockpile against production problems which do occur. In fact recently at the end of last year I was getting my supplies from France through friends. So when everything came back online at the end of December I had scrips over here to stockpile. There are problems everywhere not just in the UK with drug supply - something to do with India where a lot of these drugs are prodiced. I did speak to Neon the suppliers over here and they were very helpful and told me when everything was going to be available and they were correct.
These tablets should now be available so don't understand why you are not getting them. I've had no more trouble since the beginning of January when they came back so do some pushing! Sorry for long reply!
I have taken Flecinde which controlled my A Fib for 6 years only after 2 ablations. Nothing controlled it before. Even then if I missed a dose or was late in taking one I would within a couple of hours be in A-Fib and need a cardio version to restore normal rhythm. For me Flecinide had terrible side effects. A new to me Electrophysiologist who thinks Flecinide a terrible drug tried Tikosyn which didn't work but had no side effects at least for me. In the end after 3 ablations and 13 years I had the AV Node ablation and I'm off of all heart related medications so no side effects. It's quite wonderful really.
People respond to medications differently so it might take some trial and error to find the best for you. That is if you can find a doctor willing to help you try. For some reason many doctors want to stick with Flecinide. To control Afib you need a medication that is for that specific problem. My understanding is that calcium channel blockers and Beta blockers are not for rhythm control but do other things that might help in making an antiarrhythmic drug work better or slow the heart enough that it does not go into Afib. Unfortunately it seems there is no easy answer at least for many people. I wish you well.
Thanks for this, it seems having a GP that is willing to work with you to arrive at a solution is the key thing. I have started the conversation around an ablation, so fingers crossed I make some progress. Thanks again.
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Second Ablation in my four year journey with AFIB 
Going into AF two weeks post ablation
Rhythm control drugs after ablation
