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Norpace |
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What is Norpace and why is it prescribed? Norpace is used to treat severe irregular heartbeat. It relaxes an overactive heart and improves the efficiency of the heart's pumping action. Do not stop taking Norpace without first consulting your doctor. Stopping suddenly can cause serious changes in heart function. How should you take Norpace? Follow your doctors directions for taking Norpace. Norpace 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 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 two doses at once. Store Norpace at room temperature. Are there any Norpace side effects? Norpace side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. More common Norpace 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, and vague feeling of bodily discomfort. Less common or rare Norpace 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, nervousness, numbness or tingling, painful urination, rash, psychosis, shortness of breath, skin diseases, swelling due to fluid retention, vomiting, weight gain, and yellow eyes and skin. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Norpace? If Norpace is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. Avoid alcoholic beverages while taking Norpace. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Norpace with 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, and Verapamil/Calan), Phenytoin (Dilantin), or Troleandomycin (Tao). Are there any special warnings about Norpace? If you have structural heart disease, inflammation of the heart muscle, or other heart disorders, use Norpace with extreme caution. Norpace 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. Norpace can cause low blood sugar, 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 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, 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. Low potassium levels may make this drug ineffective and high levels may increase its toxic effects. |
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Information on this website is provided for educational purposes and should not replace discussions with your doctor. |
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