norpace and viagra

hi i am a 45 year old man with vagal afib i am very active and no health problems but afib. i have been on 300mg of norpace cr for 2 years and have been afib free. recently i have had a intermident problem and my doctor has prescribed viagra. i am wondering if this is safe to take with the norpace and if anyone out there has been on these 2 meds at the same time.

thanks

Kevin,

Hello, Norpace is a Type I antiarrhtymic. The type I antiarrhythmic drugs (sodium channel blockers). This is similiar to quinidine.

Here are the drug interactions of Norpace:

phenytoin or other hepatic enzyme inducers are taken concurrently with Norpace or Norpace CR, lower plasma levels of disopyramide may occur. Monitoring of disopyramide plasma levels is recommended in such concurrent use to avoid ineffective therapy. Other antiarrhythmic drugs (eg, quinidine, procainamide, lidocaine, propranolol) have occasionally been used concurrently with Norpace. Excessive widening of the QRS complex and/or prolongation of the Q-T interval may occur in these situations (see WARNINGS). In healthy subjects, no significant drug-drug interaction was observed when Norpace was coadministered with either propranolol or diazepam. Concomitant administration of Norpace and quinidine resulted in slight increases in plasma disopyramide levels and slight decreases in plasma quinidine levels. Norpace does not increase serum digoxin levels.

Patients taking disopyramide phosphate and erythromycin concomitantly may develop increased serum concentrations of disopyramide resulting in excessive widening of the QRS complex and/or prolongation of the Q-T interval (see WARNINGS). Patients taking disopyramide phosphate and hepatic enzyme inhibitors concomitantly should be closely monitored.

Until data on possible interactions between verapamil and disopyramide phosphate are obtained, disopyramide should not be administered within 48 hours before or 24 hours after verapamil administration

***********
Please note the problem with erythromycin.

Please also note the sildenafil (Viagra) and grapefruit juice, cause very wild things to happen, the cause is not yet determined.

Please see the website below for the most referenced interactions with sildenafil:

Joe

[www.personalhealthzone.com]

I am 49 yrs old and on Betapace, warafin, and protonix. The Betapace affected my ability to achieve an erection. My family doctor prescribed 50mg of viagra, It has made all the difference. No more problems and feeling alot better (no depression). It has been safe with no side effects. I have been using viagra for 4 months.

I wouldn't think you doctor would prescribe it to you without thinking it was safe. I have read conflicting data on both sides of the coin. I have been taking Norpace CR 150mg, once daily for over three years. I have noticed a slight difference on the sexual side. I'm 42, and have no known heart problems. My cardio told me that they don't prescribe Norpace to patients they might suspect of having underlying heart problems. If your doc says it's okay, I would trust him. Unless, you have some reason not to??

blessings,
MLM

Kevin,

I also take disopyramide for its vagolytic properties. It seems to me that Viagra could be quite beneficial to a VMAFer (vagally mediated AFer).

from page 104 of Hans' book

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic report that sildenafil (Viagra) can increase sympathetic nerve activity by as much as 141% and norepinephrine release by more than 30%. Probably not a good choice for afibbers with the adrenergic form of LAF, but may be worth a try for afibbers with the vagal variety(4).

PC v54