Dofetilide

Generic name: Dofetilide
Brand names: Tikosyn
Dosage form: oral capsule (125 mcg; 250 mcg; 500 mcg)
Drug class: Group III antiarrhythmics

Usage of Dofetilide

Dofetilide is a heart rhythm medicine, also called an antiarrhythmic.

Dofetilide is used to help keep the heart beating normally in people with certain heart rhythm disorders of the atrium (the upper chambers of the heart that allow blood to flow into the heart). Dofetilide is used in people with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.

Dofetilide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Dofetilide side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Dofetilide may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats;

loss of appetite, vomiting or severe diarrhea; or

low magnesium or potassium--confusion, uneven heart rate, increased thirst or urination, sweating, jerking muscle movements, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Common side effects of dofetilide may include:

mild headache;

mild dizziness; or

cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Dofetilide

You should not take dofetilide if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

severe kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); or

a history of Long QT syndrome.

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with dofetilide, and should not be used at the same time. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you use any of the following drugs:

cimetidine;

dolutegravir;

ketoconazole;

megestrol;

prochlorperazine;

trimethoprim (Proloprim, Trimpex, Bactrim, Septra);

verapamil; or

a diuretic (water pill) that contains hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), such as Accuretic, Aldactazide, Atacand HCT, Benicar HCT, Diovan HCT, Dyazide, Exforge HCT, Hyzaar, Lopressor HCT, Maxzide, Micardis HCT, Monopril HCT, Prinzide, Tekturna HCT, Vaseretic, and others.

To make sure dofetilide is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

heart disease, high blood pressure;

liver or kidney disease;

depression, mental illness;

asthma or allergies;

any active infection;

skin problems; or

an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood).

It is not known whether dofetilide will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.

It is not known whether dofetilide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using dofetilide.

Relate drugs

How to use Dofetilide

Dofetilide is available only from a hospital or specialty pharmacy.

You will need to spend at least 3 days in a hospital setting when you first start taking dofetilide. This is so your heart rhythm and kidney function can be monitored in case the medicine causes serious side effects.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

You may take dofetilide with or without food.

You should not skip doses or stop using dofetilide suddenly. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

Tell your doctor if you have a prolonged illness that causes severe diarrhea, vomiting, or heavy sweating. These conditions can cause an electrolyte imbalance, making it dangerous for you to use dofetilide.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your kidney function may also need to be checked with frequent blood tests.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Warnings

You should not take dofetilide if you have severe kidney disease or a history of Long QT syndrome.

Serious drug interactions can occur when certain medicines are used together with dofetilide. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use now, and any medicine you start or stop using.

What other drugs will affect Dofetilide

Other drugs may interact with dofetilide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.