Starting Norpace Doseage

[KReese]

What is the standard dosage for Norpace for HCM patients.

Katrina

[Cynaburst]

I am not sure if there is a standard starting dose, but when I started I was already on quite a high dose of atenolol, and then while in the hospital they started me on the short acting pills...I don't remember the first dose, but I went home on 150 mg. extended release twice a day. That didn't take care of my symptoms so I was increased over time slowly until I stopped taking it at 300 mg. twice a day.

I had several stops between those two doseages over a two year period until I had my myectomy and then I went off it.

[KReese]

Did you have any side effects to the Norpace? My family member has no energy and sleeps all of the time since starting it. You were able to get off of it after your myectomy? What do you take now for arrhythmias?

[Cynaburst]

It did not make me tired. It did however give me dry mouth and urinary retention. After my myectomy for the first 3 years I took only Toprol, a beta blocker. In the last few months I have also added diltiazem to deal with my chest pain, not really to treat arrythmias. The Norpace was an attempt to lessen my obstruction. It worked for awhile,but then it stopped working which was why I had surgery. I did take it for 3 months or so after surgery for a fib which was related to the surgery, only I only took 300 mg. after the surgery -- half of what I took before. They I discontinued.

[KReese]

My family member is having urinary retention, what is another name for the medicine you take for chest pain?

My family member did not tolerat beta blockers, only on calcium channel blockers.

Thanks for the information.

:

[Cynaburst]

The brand name of diltiazem is Cardizem...it is a calcium channel blocker. Is that the question you are asking? I am not exactly sure of the question.

[KReese]

Cardizem that is what my family member takes. Did it help your chest pain?

[Cynaburst]

It has helped, though I am still fooling with the dosage to get the optimum result.

[Sarah]

Norpace comes in 100mg and 150mg capsules and CR (long acting) versions same sizes. There is no one-size fits all dose. I weighed 105lbs and took FOUR 150mg CR's a day. For years. Yes. True.

[KReese]

How long did you take the Norpace before you had positive results? Did you start taking it for an obstruction or chest pain?



Thanks for the information!!

[BAK0226]

I started taking Norpace it will be 2 years this week. I take 250mg in the morning, 300mg at night. Thankfully I still have a zero resting gradient while on it, before it was like 60. I do however still have a provocable gradient. I, personally feel ALOT better on it. I do have dry mouth. Chewing gum helps me alot. I hope to get the benefits as long as I can. I do know that this may not last over the long haul but for now I'll take it! Barb

[jancer121]

I'm glad to see this discussion going as I am in transition from stopping Metoprolol and starting Norpace. However, I've been on 25mg of the Metoprolol for just over a week and have already noticed much improvement. I feel so much better, I'm apprehensive about starting Norpace. I'm just curious as to why I can't remain on a lower dose if it agrees with me. I know I should ask my doctor but has anyone else out there had a similar situation? I also see many of you have had a myectomy. I'm facing this next if drug therapy doesn't work for me. So my other question is, if you have a myectomy do you still need to be on any kind of drug therapy?

Thanks for your help.

Janet

[Cynaburst]

There is no reason that you can't stay on the lower dose of beta blockers if you feel better. Just tell your doc you would like to try staying on the 25 mg. of metoprolol and see how that does.

I personally did not discontinue my beta blocker when I started the Norpace. I took them both together. I was taking 175 mg. of atenolol and 600 mg. of Norpace before my myectomy.

[jancer121]

Thanks for the information. So since your myectomy, are you still on any drug therapy?

Janet

[Cynaburst]

Yes, I take a combination of Toprol (100 mg) and diltiazem (currently at 150 mg) and I have adjusted alot depending on how I feel.

The one thing I did not consider when answering your question above is whether you have a large gradient in addition to the symptoms you are having as having a gradient can be detrimental to the heart in the long run, even if you aren't currently having symptoms. So, if the Norpace is intended to reduce your gradient, it may be a good idea to take it even though you feel ok.