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|Norpace

Norpace

Norpace is used for:

Correcting or preventing various types of life-threatening irregular heartbeats and heart rhythm disturbances.

Norpace is an antiarrhythmic. It works by stabilizing the heart rhythm in conditions in which the heart is beating too fast or in an irregular rhythm (antiarrhythmic effect).

Do NOT use Norpace if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Norpace
• you have second- or third-degree heart block and do not have a pacemaker, you were born with an irregular heartbeat due to QT prolongation, or your heart is in shock
• you are taking astemizole, cisapride, a class III antiarrhythmic (eg, amiodarone, sotalol), a phenothiazine (eg, thioridazine), pimozide, a quinolone (eg, grepafloxacin, sparfloxacin), or terfenadine

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Norpace :

Some medical conditions may interact with Norpace . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of certain heart conditions or irregular heart rhythms (eg, enlargement or inflammation of the heart, heart block, heart failure, heart attack, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome), diabetes, glaucoma, severe muscle weakness, high or low levels of potassium in the blood, or kidney or liver disease
• if you have difficulty urinating due to an obstruction of the bladder neck or prostate problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Norpace . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Astemizole, beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), cisapride, class III antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, sotalol), dofetilide, droperidol, ketolides (eg, telithromycin), macrolides (eg, erythromycin), phenothiazine (eg, thioridazine), pimozide, quinolones (eg, sparfloxacin, grepafloxacin), terfenadine, verapamil, or ziprasidone because side effects, such as life threatening irregular heartbeats, may be increased
• Hydantoins (eg, phenytoin) because the effectiveness of Norpace may be decreased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Norpace may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Norpace :

Use Norpace as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Norpace may be taken with or without food.
• Take Norpace on a regular schedule around the clock, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
• If you miss a dose of Norpace , take it if you remember within 4 hours. If it has been more than 4 hours since your missed dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Norpace .

Important safety information:

• Norpace may cause dizziness or blurred vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Norpace .
• Do not become overheated in hot weather or during exercise or other activities; heatstroke may occur.
• Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Norpace .
• Use Norpace with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Use Norpace with extreme caution in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Norpace during pregnancy. Norpace is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Norpace .

Possible side effects of Norpace :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Aches or pain; bloating; blurred vision; constipation; difficulty urinating; dizziness; dryness of the eyes, mouth, nose, or throat; fatigue; frequent and urgent urination; gas; general body discomfort; headache; muscle weakness; nausea; tiredness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; fainting; fast or slow heartbeat; fever; lightheadedness; heart rhythm problems; severe difficulty urinating; shortness of breath; sore throat; swelling.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include change in heart rhythm; difficulty breathing; loss of consciousness.

Store Norpace at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Keep Norpace out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Norpace , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Norpace is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Norpace . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.