What is Ivabradine?
Ivabradine slows your heart rate by altering the electrical activity of your heart. Adults with chronic heart failure can use Ivabradine to reduce the likelihood of being hospitalized if symptoms worsen.
Ivabradine can also be used to treat stable heart failure in children aged at least six months who have an enlarged heart. This medication guide does not list all possible uses of ivabradine.
Side effects of Ivabradine
In case of any allergic reactions, seek immediate medical assistance: hives, difficulty breathing and facial, lip or throat swelling.
Ivabradine can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Your symptoms could include rapid or pounding pulses, chest fluttering, shortness of breath and sudden dizziness.
- Very slow heartbeats
- Severe headache; blurred vision; or pounding in the neck and ears
- Dizziness or fatigue with a racing heartbeat;
- Chest tightness;
- Shortness of breath is worse than usual.
If your baby is taking Ivabradine, be on the lookout for signs of trouble feeding, breathing problems, or turning blue.
Ivabradine may temporarily brighten your vision. This is especially true during the first two months of treatment. You may see halos or colors around lights. In certain areas of your vision, you may see flashes or kaleidoscope-like colors. These changes in vision can be more pronounced when bright lights are suddenly thrown into your eyes. The effects of ivabradine usually disappear as you continue to take it or stop taking the drug.
Some of the common side effects associated with ivabradine include:
- Slow or irregular heartbeats
- High blood pressure
- Your eyes may be more sensitive.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice regarding side effects, call your physician directly. Alternatively, the FDA can be reached at 1-800-FDA-1088 in order to report side effects.
Similar/related drugs
Lisinopril, metoprolol, furosemide, carvedilol, spironolactone, and diltiazem
Warnings
If you suffer from a severe liver condition or very low pressure, have a slow heart rate at rest, have a serious cardiac condition like "sick sinus" syndrome or a 3rd degree "AV block", or depend on your pacemaker to regulate your heart rate, you should avoid using ivabradine.
Notify your doctor of all medications you are currently taking and any new ones. Some drugs are not to be taken together, and others can cause drug interactions. Ivabradine can harm an unborn child. Use effective contraception to avoid pregnancy, and inform your doctor immediately if you fall pregnant.
Ivabradine may cause serious heart rhythm issues. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience chest pressure, racing heartbeats or pounding, slow heartbeats, or weakness.
Watch for signs of feeding difficulties, breathing problems, or blueness if your baby takes ivabradine.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to ivabradine or:
- A serious heart condition, such as "sick-sinus syndrome" or "AV block 3rd degree" (unless you already have a pacemaker);
- Heart failure symptoms have recently gotten worse.
- Low blood pressure
- A slow heart rate at rest
- Severe liver disease
- If you rely on a pacemaker for your heart rate control,
Certain medicines can have unwanted or harmful effects when combined with ivabradine. If you take any of these drugs, your doctor may have to alter your treatment plan.
- Antifungal or antibacterial medicine
- Antidepressants are a type of medication.
- Antiviral medicines to treat hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS.
- Other heart medication or blood pressure medications (such as amiodarone, digoxin, diltiazem, or Verapamil)
Inform your doctor of any heart conditions that are not being treated by ivabradine. Take birth control and inform your doctor immediately if you fall pregnant. If you are using ivabradine, it is not recommended that you breastfeed.
How to take Ivabradine?
Read all the instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow the directions. Sometimes, your doctor will change the dose. You must take the medication exactly as prescribed. Ivabradine can be taken twice a day with food. Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice. If you are having trouble swallowing an ivabradine tab, tell your doctor.
Measuring liquid medicine is important. Use the provided dosing device or a dose-measuring tool (not a spoon). Each plastic ampule can only be used once. After one use, throw it out, even if the medicine is still inside. Do not give another dose if a child spits the medicine out shortly after taking it. Do not give another dose until the next scheduled time.
It is possible that you will also need to take a medicine called a beta-blocker. Read all the instructions and follow them exactly. You should not stop taking medication or alter your dosage without consulting your doctor.
Electrocardiograms (also called ekgs) are used to check the heart's function. Store away from heat, moisture, and light at room temperature. Use the liquid Ivabradine immediately after opening the foil pouch.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for congestive heart failure:
Initial dose: Orally, 5 mg twice daily with meals
Maximum dose: oral 7.5 mg twice daily
Comments:
Start with 2.5 mg twice daily in patients who have a history of bradycardia that could cause hemodynamic compromise.
If the resting pulse rate is below 50 bpm (or bradycardia symptoms and signs are present), decrease the dose by 2.5mg twice daily.
Use: To reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in patients with a stable, symptomatic, chronic heart failure with a left ventricular fraction (LVEF), at or below 35 % in sinus rhythm, with a resting heart beat at or above 70 BPM, and who cannot tolerate beta-blockers or are contraindicated to them.
Usual pediatric dose for congestive heart failure:
Six months or older:
Oral solution for less than 40 kg
Initial dose: 0.05 mg/kg twice daily with food. Assess the patient every 2 weeks and adjust the dosage by 0.05 mg/kg if necessary to achieve a 20% reduction in heart rate.
Maximum dosage: 6 months and younger: 0.2 mg/kg twice daily, up to a maximum of 7.5mg orally, twice a week; 1 year and older: 0.3 mg/kg twice daily, up to a maximum of 7.5mg orally, twice a week.
40 kg or greater (tablets).
Initial dose: 2.5mg orally, twice daily with food. Assess the patient every 2 weeks and adjust the dosage by 2.5mg to achieve a 20% reduction in heart rate.
Maximum dosage: 7.5mg orally, twice daily
Use: Treatment for stable heart failure caused by dilated cardiomyopathy in children 6 months and older with sinus rhythm and an elevated heart rate.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Do not take the missed dose. Use your next dose as usual. Do not take two doses in one go.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Grapefruit can interact with ivabradine, causing unwanted side effects. Avoid grapefruit products. St. John's wort is a dangerous herb. John's wort.
Do not drive or engage in hazardous activities until you have determined how ivabradine affects you. You may be unable to react properly. Avoid abrupt changes in light intensity, such as stepping outside into sunlight after spending time in darkness. Give your eyes some time to adjust to the light.
Interaction with other drug
Ivabradine may cause serious heart problems if taken with other medications for asthma, heart disease, depression, mental illness, or HIV.
Many drugs interact with ivabradine and should not be taken together. Inform your doctor of all the medicines you are taking and those that you have stopped using. Included are prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all possible interactions.
