Health Library

Dichlorphenamide (By mouth)

Dichlorphenamide (dye-klor-FEN-a-mide)

Treats inherited muscle disorders.

Brand Name(s):

Keveyis, Ormalvi

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not use this medicine together with high-dose aspirin.
• Some medicines can affect how dichlorphenamide works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:
  • Low-dose aspirin, famotidine, methotrexate, oseltamivir, penicillin, theophylline
  • Diuretic (water pill)
  • Laxatives
  • Medicine to treat fungal infections

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, adrenal gland problems, or lung disease.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Low potassium levels
  • Metabolic acidosis (too much acid in your blood)
• This medicine may make you feel dizzy, drowsy, or more tired. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash
• Confusion, muscle spasms or twitching, trouble breathing
• Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting, uneven heartbeat
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches
• Joint or muscle pain
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness
• Yellow skin or eyes

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Change in sense of taste
• Diarrhea, weight loss
• Dizziness, headache, tiredness
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024