The clinical scope of disopyramide seven years after introduction--an overview

Disopyramide phosphate, seven years after its introduction, has proved to be a useful and effective Type IA oral agent for treatment of ventricular arrhythmias. The experience of these seven years has amplified and more sharply defined the initial efficiency and safety issues related to the use of the agent. This experience now shows that disopyramide is at least as effective as other agents in its class and that it can be used safely in the majority of patients for whom treatment is indicated if therapeutic guidelines are followed. The areas of effectiveness, comparative effectiveness, side effects and toxicity of this agent are summarized and guides to patient selection are presented in this review article.