What is Dofetilide?
Dofetilide is an anti-arrhythmic, a heart rhythm medication. It is used to help people with certain atrial heart rhythm disorders keep their hearts beating normally (the upper chambers of the heart that allow blood to flow into the heart). It is prescribed to patients who have atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.
Dofetilide Uses
This medication is used to treat severe (possibly fatal) irregular heartbeats (such as atrial fibrillation or flutter). It is used to restore normal heart rhythm and keep the heartbeat regular and steady. It works by inhibiting the activity of certain electrical signals in the heart that cause irregular heartbeats. Treating an irregular heartbeat can lower your risk of blood clots, which can lower your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
How to use
Before you begin taking this, and each time you get a refill, read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist.
Take this medication orally twice daily, with or without food, or as directed by your doctor. It is important that you take this medication exactly as prescribed to reduce your risk of more serious effects.
The dosage is evaluated by your medical condition, kidney function, and treatment response.
If your disease does not keep improving or worsens, visit your doctor.
Side Effects
- Headache
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Flu-like symptoms
- Stomach pain
- Back pain
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Staying asleep
- Irregular heartbeat
- Rash
- Severe diarrhea
- Dizziness or fainting
- Unusual sweating
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Increased thirst
Precautions
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or if you have any other allergies. Inactive ingredients present in this product may cause some serious allergic reactions or other health problems.
- Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history, particularly if you have kidney or liver disease.
- This medication may cause dizziness. Alcohol can cause dizziness. Do not operate heavy machinery, or do anything else that requires alertness until you are confident that you can do so safely.
- It has been linked to a heart rhythm disorder (QT prolongation). Rarely, QT prolongation can result in serious fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms
- If you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT prolongation, your risk of QT prolongation may be increased.
- Low potassium and magnesium levels in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. If you use certain drugs or have conditions like severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting, your risk of developing this condition may increase.
- This drug's side effects, particularly QT prolongation, may be more severe in older adults.
- This medication should not be used during pregnancy. It should be taken only when prescribed by your doctor. Consult your doctor.
- It is not clear that this medicine passes into breastmilk or not, therefore consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Interactions
- Dolutegravir and fingolimod are two drugs that may interact with this one.
- Aside from dofetilide, many other drugs, such as amiodarone, pimozide, procainamide, quinidine, saquinavir, sotalol, macrolide antibiotics, and certain quinolone antibiotics, may have an effect on heart rhythm.
- Other medications may interfere with the removal of it from your body, affecting how it works.
- Cimetidine should be avoided while being treated with this medicine. Inquire with your doctor or pharmacist about other heartburn/upset stomach medications.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take one of the dosages, take it as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose and proceed with your daily schedule. To cope up with a missed dose, do not take a double dose.
Overdose
Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed tablets there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body’s functions.
Storage
Exposure of medicine to heat, air, and light may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach.
Dofetilide vs amiodarone
Dofetilide |
Amiodarone |
|---|---|
| This is an anti-arrhythmic, a heart rhythm medication. | Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic medication used for treating and preventing a wide range of irregular heartbeats |
| It is used to restore normal heart rhythm and keep the heartbeat regular and steady. | It is used to treat and prevent certain types of severe, potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmias. |
| It works by inhibiting the activity of certain electrical signals in the heart that cause irregular heartbeats. | Amiodarone primarily works by inhibiting potassium rectifier currents, which are responsible for heart repolarization during phase 3 of the cardiac action potential. |
