Oral disopyramide dosage regimes in ischaemic heart disease

The serum concentration/time profiles resulting from two oral disopyramide dosage regimes were studied in ten patients with ischaemic heart disease. Conventional dosing on a 6 r 8 hourly basis consistently achieved disopyramide concentrations within the accepted therapeutic range of 2-7 micrograms/ml. In contrast, a twice daily regime was associated in some patients with trough levels below the minimum effective concentration. The mean elimination half-life was 5.8 h; this does not substantiate previous reports of significantly prolonged disopyramide half-lives in patients with ischaemic heart disease. Unless significant renal impairment or cardiac failure is present, or a sustained release preparation is used, the dosage interval for oral disopyramide should not exceed 8 h.