Tikosyn

Generic name: Dofetilide
Dosage form: oral capsule
Drug class: Group III antiarrhythmics

Usage of Tikosyn

Tikosyn (dofetilide) is an antiarrhythmic drug that is used to treat an abnormal heartbeat. Antiarrhythmic drugs are classified using a system known as the Vaughan Williams Classification System and under this system Tikosyn is classed as a Class III antiarrhythmic, which is a group of drugs that act as potassium channel blockers.

Tikosyn works by blocking specific potassium channels called inward-rectifier potassium channels (IKr) in the heart. This increases the effective refractory period (ERP) - or resting period - that occurs after a heart muscle cell (cardiac myocyte) has responded to the electrical charge (action potential). Increasing the amount of time a cell rests for helps to prevent certain types of arrhythmias.

Tikosyn was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on 1 October 1999. Generic versions of this medication are also available.

Tikosyn side effects

Tikosyn can cause serious side effects, including a type of abnormal heartbeat called Torsade de Pointes, which can lead to death. See 'Important information' above.

The most common side effects of Tikosyn include:

headache

chest pain

dizziness

Call your doctor right away if you have signs of electrolyte imbalance including:

severe diarrhea

unusual sweating

vomiting

not hungry (loss of appetite)

increased thirst (drinking more than normal)

Tell your doctor if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of this medication. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Tikosyn

Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Tikosyn will harm your unborn baby.

Tell your healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. It is not known if Tikosyn passes into your breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will take this medication or breastfeed. You should not do both.

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How to use Tikosyn

The usual recommended dose of Tikosyn is 500 mcg taken orally twice a day, but this dose may need to be modified using the dosing algorithm supplied in the full prescribing information. The dose of this Tikosyn must be individualized according to calculated creatinine clearance and QTc (corrected for heat rate). QT interval should be used if the heart rate is <60 beats per minute. There are no data on use of this medication when the heart rate is <50 beats per minute.

See the full prescribing information for further details about Tikosyn dosing.

Warnings

Tikosyn can cause serious side effects, including a type of abnormal heartbeat called Torsade de Pointes, which can lead to death.

To establish the right dose of this medication, treatment with Tikosyn must be started in a hospital where your heart rate and kidney function will be checked for the first 3 days of treatment. It is important that when you go home, you take the exact dose of Tikosyn that your doctor prescribed for you.

While you take this medication, always watch for signs of abnormal heartbeat.

Call your doctor and go to the hospital right away if you:

feel faint

become dizzy, or

have a fast heartbeat

What other drugs will affect Tikosyn

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicine you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tikosyn and other medicines may affect each other, causing serious side effects. If you take Tikosyn with certain medicines, you will be more likely to have a different type of abnormal heartbeat. See "Who should not take Tikosyn?" above for a list of medications.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

Disclaimer

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