Dofetilide

Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used for treatment of irregular heartbeats called atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. It may help keep your heart beat regularly and stay beating that way longer.

How does it work?

• Dofetilide tries to normalize the heartbeats by changing the current through the heart.

How is it best taken?

• Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes stomach upset.
• Medicine must be taken exactly as directed.
• Take at the same times everyday.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Never make up a missed dose.
• Just skip it and return to your regular schedule.
• Do not miss doses or take a double dose or extra doses.
• Do not change the dose or stop this medicine. Talk with healthcare provider first.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Use caution in kidney disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
• It is dangerous to run out of this medication. Get refilled today!
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• Do not take cimetidine, verapamil, ketoconaole, trimethoprim alone or in combination with other antibiotics, prochlorperazine, or megestrol with this medicine.
• Wear medical alert identification for irregular heartbeat. Include dofetilide on the ID.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Do not use if breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Dizziness. Use caution when driving, doing other tasks or hobbies that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Headaches. Mild pain medicine may help.
• Chest pain.

What should I monitor?

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing, tightness in the chest, fever, itching, bad cough, blue skin color, fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
• Passing out, fainting, dizziness, lightheadedness, or rapid heartbeats.
• If your healthcare provider is not available go right to the nearest emergency room. Do not drive yourself. Take your medicine with you.
• Severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, no appetite, or more thirst.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine. Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine.

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