title: Study of an anti-arrhythmic agent, disopyramide, in delayed action form ('Ritmoforine' Retard).
abstract: A study was carried out in 10 patients with ventricular dysrhythmias to determine serum levels and effectiveness of treatment with a new delayed-action formulation of disopyramide. Patients received 1 tablet (322.5 mg disopyramide phosphate) twice daily and were monitored constantly. A therapeutically effective level of 3 mg/l was achieved in most cases after 24 hours and in 8 out of the 10 patients the levels remained reasonably stable during the 4 days of observation. It is suggested that adjustment of dosage is advisable in patients with renal dysfunction or left heart failure. Although the new formulation provided a good alternative to the standard preparation of disopyramide, which is usually given on a 4-times daily regimen, it is recommended that the standard capsules should be used during the first 24 hours of treatment to ensure that effective blood levels are achieved rapidly.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004206:Disopyramide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011725:Pyridines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D011725:Pyridines; D004206:Disopyramide