Disopyramide Phosphate and Ravicti

• Generic Name: disopyramide
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Norpace, Norpace CR

Precise role in antiarrhythmic therapy has not been established. Some experts recommend that disopyramide be reserved for use as an alternative drug when lidocaine, quinidine, or procainamide is ineffective or adverse effects of these drugs are intolerable.

Limited information is available on combination therapy with other antiarrhythmic drugs such as lidocaine, quinidine, or procainamide to treat or prevent serious, refractory arrhythmias.

Suppression and prevention of recurrent life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias (e.g., sustained VT). (See Boxed Warning.)

Because of disopyramide’s arrhythmogenic potential and lack of evidence for improved survival for class I antiarrhythmic agents, use for less severe arrhythmias is not recommended.

Avoid treatment of asymptomatic VPCs.

Has been used to convert atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and paroxysmal atrial tachycardia to normal sinus rhythm. However, other antiarrhythmic drugs (e.g., dofetilide, flecainide, ibutilide, propafenone, amiodarone) are preferred.

• Generic Name: glycerol phenylbutyrate
• Dosage Forms: oral liquid
• Other Brand Names: Ravicti

Ravicti (glycerol phenylbutyrate) binds with other substances in the liver and kidneys to help eliminate nitrogen from the body. Excess nitrogen can cause hyperammonemia, a build-up of ammonia in the blood. Ammonia is very toxic when it circulates in blood and tissues and can cause permanent brain damage, coma, or death.

Ravicti helps prevent a build-up of ammonia in the blood in people with urea cycle disorder. This medicine is used in adults, children and infants. Ravicti will not treat hyperammonemia.

Ravicti is usually given together with a low-protein diet and sometimes dietary supplements.