What is Dofetilide?
Dofetilide, or antiarrhythmics, as they are also known, is a medicine that regulates heart rhythm. Dofetilide helps keep the heart beating normally in patients with certain heart rhythm disorders. The atrium is the upper chamber of your heart, which allows blood to flow into your heart. Dofetilide can be used by people who have atrial fibrillation, or atrial flutter. Dofetilide can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Dofetilide
If you experience symptoms indicative of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing and swelling to lips, face, tongue or throat; seek medical help immediately.
Dofetilide can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Headache with severe chest pain, dizziness, and fainting; fast or pounding pulsebeats
- Loss of appetite, vomiting, and severe diarrhea
- Low magnesium or potassium intake has many symptoms--confusion, irregular heartbeat, increased thirst or urination, sweating profusely, sweat duct obstruction, muscle stiffness or spasming, leg discomfort or weakness and limp feeling can be some indicators that you have too little of either mineral.
Dofetilide side effects may include:
- Mild headache
- mild dizziness;
- Cold symptoms like stuffy noses, sneezing, and sore throats.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Warnings
Dofetilide should not be taken if you suffer from severe kidney disease or have a history of long QT syndrome. Dofetilide can cause serious drug interactions when used with certain medications. Inform your healthcare provider about any medicines you are currently using and those you plan to start taking. Your heart rhythm and kidney functions will be monitored for at least three days when you start taking dofetilide.
Before you take this drug
Dofetilide should not be taken if:
- If you have severe kidney disease or are currently on dialysis,
- A history of Long QT syndrome
Certain medicines may cause dangerous or unwanted effects when taken with dofetilide. Your doctor will need to adjust your treatment plan if any of these drugs are used:
- Cimetidine;
- Dolutegravir;
- Ketoconazole;
- Megestrol;
- Prochlorperazine;
- Trimethoprim (proloprim, trimpex, bactrim, septra);
- Verapamil;
- Diuretics (water pills) that contain hydrochlorothiazide examples include accuretic (water pill), aldactazide (water pill), atacand hct (water pill), benicar hct (water tablet), diovan hct (water tablet), dyazide (water pill), exforge hct (water pill), hyzaar (water pill), lopressor hct (water pill), and maxzide (water pill).
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that dofetilide will be safe for you:
- Heart disease, high blood pressure
- Liver or kidney disease
- Depression, mental illness;
- Asthma or allergies
- Any active infection
- Skin problems
- An electrolyte imbalance occurs when there is insufficient magnesium or potassium present in your blood supply.
Dofetilide is not known to harm unborn babies. If you plan to get pregnant or are already pregnant, tell your doctor. Dofetilide is not known to pass into breast milk. It's also unknown if it can harm a baby who is nursing. Dofetilide should not be used while breastfeeding.
How to take Dofetilide?
Dofetilide can only be purchased from a hospital pharmacy or specialized pharmacy. Your heart rhythm and kidney functions will be monitored for at least three days when you start taking dofetilide. Do not take this medication in larger or smaller amounts or for a longer duration than recommended, nor exceed its maximum recommended dose. Take only as prescribed; do not exceed this threshold or increase it further than necessary. Dofetilide may be taken either with or without food. Do not stop taking dofetilide abruptly or skip doses. Your condition may worsen if you stop suddenly. You should follow your doctor's advice about reducing your dosage. Inform your doctor if diarrhea, vomiting, or heavy sweating are symptoms of a long-term illness. Dofetilide can be dangerous if you have these conditions, which can lead to an electrolyte imbalance. You will also need to check your blood pressure frequently.Blood tests may be necessary in order to evaluate your kidney's functionality. Store at room temperature away from heat and moisture to maintain optimal storage conditions.
What happens if I miss the dose?
To stay on schedule, skip the missed dose and continue taking your usual dose.Schedule the next dose at its usual time and frequency.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Dofetilide may cause unwanted side effects if grapefruit or juice are consumed. Talk to your doctor about the use of grapefruit.
Interaction with other drug
Dofetilide may interact with other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Inform your healthcare providers of all the medicines you are currently taking and those you plan to start using.
