Disopyramide is a medicine that has been used to treat certain heart rhythm problems. It has also been used, in a small number of people, to help control symptoms caused by obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HOCM).
Unfortunately, disopyramide is being permanently discontinued worldwide in all formulations. Some supplies of 100mg capsules and 250mg modified release tablets may be still be available through parallel imports (from an EU country), but future supplies cannot be guaranteed.
What does this mean for you?
If you're currently taking disopyramide for HOCM, your cardiologist or specialist nurse will talk to you about whether you should change to another treatment. It's really important that you don't stop taking disopyramide without speaking to them first.
There are other treatments that may be suitable for you. Depending on your individual circumstances, these might include:
- Verapamil – a calcium channel blocker that can help improve symptoms
- Mavacamten – a newer treatment called a cardiac myosin inhibitor, which can reduce the obstruction to blood flow from the heart
- Aficamten – another cardiac myosin inhibitor, which is expected to become available on the NHS in England later this year.
Your cardiologist or specialist nurse will consider your symptoms, heart function, other medicines and overall health when deciding which treatment is most appropriate for you.
What should I do now?
If you're taking disopyramide and you're concerned about your supply, please contact your usual cardiology team for advice. We advise you not to make any changes to your medication without discussing them with your team first.
We're here to help too. Our specialist nurse team can give general advice and support in relation to cardiomyopathy, whether you're diagnosed yourself or supporting a loved one.