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Norpace vs. Amiodarone

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Disopyramide (Norpace) and Amiodarone (Pacerone) are both antiarrhythmic medications used to treat irregular heart rhythms, but they have some key differences. Disopyramide (Norpace) is available in both immediate-release and extended-release forms, while Amiodarone (Pacerone) is available as tablets and injections. Disopyramide (Norpace) is primarily used for ventricular arrhythmias and is sometimes used off-label for atrial fibrillation and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, though it is not a first-choice treatment. Amiodarone (Pacerone) is used for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and can take a few weeks to work. It is also used off-label for atrial fibrillation. Disopyramide (Norpace) can cause serious side effects like heart failure, while Amiodarone (Pacerone) can cause serious side effects such as lung damage, liver damage, and vision problems. Both medications require close monitoring by a healthcare provider, but Amiodarone (Pacerone) has a longer duration in the body, leading to prolonged side effects. Additionally, Amiodarone (Pacerone) can interact with many other medications and requires regular follow-up tests to monitor for side effects.

Disopyramide

(Norpace)

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Amiodarone

(Pacerone)

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Summary for Norpace

Prescription only

Disopyramide (Norpace) is used to treat certain types of arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat). You'll typically first start the medication in a hospital so your provider can monitor you closely. Some common side effects of disopyramide (Norpace) include dry mouth, difficulty urinating, and constipation. It's available as an immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (ER) capsule. While the IR version is available as brand and lower-cost generic, the ER version is only sold under the brand name Norpace CR.

Indications for Norpace

Pros and Cons for Norpace

Pros

  • Can ask provider to use immediate-release (IR) capsules to make a liquid for children or those who have trouble swallowing pills
  • Available as a controlled-release (CR) version that's taken less frequently

Cons

  • Not a preferred medication if you have heart failure or have had a recent heart attack
  • Requires close monitoring by provider
  • IR capsule is taken up to 4 times a day

Common Side Effects for Norpace

  • Dry mouth (32%)
  • Trouble starting to urinate or maintaining urine flow (14%)
  • Constipation (11%)
  • Blurred vision (up to 9%)
  • Dry nose, dry eyes, or dry throat (up to 9%)
  • Trouble urinating (up to 9%)
  • Frequent or urgent urination (up to 9%)
  • Nausea (up to 9%)
  • Pain, bloating, or gas (up to 9%)
  • Dizziness (up to 9%)
  • Fatigue or muscle weakness (up to 9%)
  • Headache (up to 9%)
  • Feeling unwell (up to 9%)
  • Aches or pains (up to 9%)

Warnings for Norpace

  • Greater risk of death after recent heart attack
  • Low blood pressure and heart failure
  • Abnormal heart rhythm
  • Low blood sugar
  • Caution use in people with glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, or urinary retention
  • Caution use in people with kidney or liver problems
  • Caution use in people with abnormal potassium levels
  • Interactions with other medications

Summary for Amiodarone

Prescription only

Amiodarone (Pacerone) is an antiarrhythmic medication. It's FDA-approved to treat life-threatening ventricular fibrillation and fast heart rate (tachycardia) in adults who either can't take it or whose condition isn't well-controlled by other antiarrhythmics. It's sometimes prescribed off-label for atrial fibrillation (AFib). Amiodarone (Pacerone) comes as tablets that are taken by mouth. The total daily dose can be taken once per day, or split into smaller doses and taken throughout the day to prevent stomach-related side effects, like nausea and vomiting.

Indications for Amiodarone

  • Life-threatening ventricular fibrillation that keeps coming back (when other antiarrhythmics haven't worked well)
  • Life-threatening tachycardia that keeps coming back (when other antiarrhythmics haven't worked)

Pros and Cons for Amiodarone

Pros

  • Works well to treat certain heart rate and rhythm problems
  • Can be taken with or without food
  • Can be taken once daily (as long as you're tolerating the medication and the total daily dose is less than 1,000 mg)

Cons

  • Stays in the body for many weeks
  • Not for people with iodine allergy
  • Only available as a 200 mg tablet, so you might need to take several tablets depending on your dose

Common Side Effects for Amiodarone

Warnings for Amiodarone

  • Arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat)
  • Lung damage
  • Liver damage
  • Vision problems
  • Thyroid problems
  • Slow heartbeat
  • Effects on heart devices
  • Harm to unborn babies
  • Nerve problems

Prices with our coupons for Norpace vs. Amiodarone

Price Card Drug Icon
Disopyramide60 capsules / 150mg
$62.30$181.87
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Price Card Drug Icon
Amiodarone30 tablets / 200mg
$9.00$9.00
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