What is Ibutilide?
Ibutilide, an antiarrhythmic medication for the heart, corrects certain irregular heart rhythms.
Ibutilide helps keep the heart beating normally for people with certain heart rhythm problems of the atrium. (the upper chambers of your heart that allow blood flow into the heart) Ibutilide can be used by people who have atrial fibrillation, or flutter atrial.This medication guide does not list all possible uses of ibutilide.
Side effects of Ibutilide
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, and a swollen throat.
If you:
- Headache accompanied by chest pain and severe nausea;
- Shortness of breath
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
Ibutilide can cause a variety of side effects.
- Mild headache
- Nausea.
There may be other side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report adverse effects, you can contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
Ibutilide may cause dangerous irregular heartbeats. Electrocardiographs (also called ekgs) will constantly monitor your heart rate to detect any problems.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to ibutilide, this medication should be avoided.Tell your doctor, if possible, if you've taken heart rhythm medications within the last 4 hours prior to receiving ibutilide.Tell your doctor if congestive heart failure is present.
FDA pregnancy class C There is no information on whether ibutilide can harm an unborn child. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant.There is no way to know if ibutilide can pass into breast milk or if it will harm a baby who is nursing. You should tell your doctor if a child is breastfed.It may not be possible in an emergency to inform your carers of your medical conditions or whether you are breastfeeding or pregnant. Assure any doctor who treats you that you received ibutilide.
How to take Ibutilide?
The IV is used to inject the ibutilide into a vein. This injection will be given by a healthcare provider.
Ibutilide may cause dangerous irregular heartbeats. Electrocardiographs (also called ekgs) will constantly monitor your heart rate to ensure that you are treated promptly if any problems arise. In case you need to be treated, cardiac emergency equipment is also kept nearby.The heart monitoring can continue for up to several hours after stopping ibutilide.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for atrial fibrillation:
If you weigh less than 60 kg, inject 0.01 mg/kg over 10 minutes. Repeat if the arrhythmia persists after 10 minutes.
60 kg and more: 1 mg IV over 10 minutes; if the arrhythmia persists after 10 minutes, repeat the infusion once.
Comments:
In the study of patients who had undergone cardiac surgery, one or more IV infusions containing 0.5 mg were effective at stopping atrial fibrillation and flutter.
In patients who weigh more than 60 kg, a 2 mg infusion was effective at stopping the atrial fibrillation.
Remove the infusion if an arrhythmia is terminated, if sustained ventricular tachycardia, marked QT/qtc prolongation, or both occur.
Monitor the ECG continuously for at least four hours after infusion, or until the qtc returns to baseline. If arrhythmic activity is observed, a longer monitoring period will be required.
Adult dose for atrial fibrillation:
If you weigh less than 60 kg, inject 0.01 mg/kg over 10 minutes. Repeat if the arrhythmia persists after 10 minutes.
60 kg and more: 1 mg IV over 10 minutes; if the arrhythmia persists after 10 minutes, repeat the infusion once.
Comments:
In the study of patients who had undergone cardiac surgery, one or more IV infusions containing 0.5 mg (0.05 mg/kg for those weighing less than 60kg) effectively terminated atrial fibrillation and flutter.
In patients who weigh more than 60 kg, an infusion of 2 mg has been shown to be effective in stopping atrial fibrillation and flutter.
-Discontinue the infusion if an arrhythmia is terminated or if a sustained or non-sustained ventricular tachycardia or marked QT/qtc prolongation has occurred.
Monitor the ECG continuously for at least four hours after infusion, or until the qtc returns to baseline. If arrhythmic activity is observed, a longer monitoring period will be required.
What happens if I miss the dose?
You are unlikely to miss a dosage of ibutilide because you will be receiving it in a clinic setting.
What happens if I overdose?
Overdoses are unlikely because this medication is administered by a health professional in a medical environment.
What should be avoided?
If your doctor prescribes any restrictions regarding food, beverage, or activity, follow their instructions.
Interaction with other drug
Tell your doctor that you've taken heart rhythm medications within the last 4 hours.
- Amiodarone;
- Disopyramide;
- Dofetilide;
- Dronedarone;
- Procainamide;
- Quinidine;
- Sotalol.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications or if you will stop using them during treatment with ibutilide.
- Citalopram Fingolimod; lumefantrine Mifepristone Saquinavir
- An antibiotic—azithromycin, clarithromycin, and erythromycin; cancer medicine—arsenic trioxide, degarelix, nilotinib, toremifene, vandetanib, and vemurafenib; medicine to treat mental illness—iloperidone, pimozide, thioridazine, and ziprasidone.
This list is incomplete. Ibutilide may interact with other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This medication guide does not list all possible interactions.
