Dofetilide Oral capsule Health Article

Generic name(s):

Dofetilide Oral capsule

Brand name(s):

Tikosyn

What is this medicine?

DOFETILIDE (doe FET il ide) is an antiarrhythmic drug. It helps make your heart beat regularly. This medicine also helps to slow rapid heartbeats.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• heart disease or heart failure
• history of low levels of potassium or magnesium
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to dofetilide, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take this medicine with or without food. Do not drink grapefruit juice with this medicine. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly. This may cause serious, heart-related side effects. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take. If your doctor wants you to stop the medicine, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• arsenic trioxide
• certain macrolide antibiotics
• certain medicines for fungal infections like ketoconazole and itraconazole
• certain quinolone antibiotics
• cimetidine
• cisapride
• conivaptan
• cyclobenzaprine
• droperidol
• grapefruit juice
• haloperidol
• hawthorn
• imatinib
• levomethadyl
• medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
• medicines for HIV, AIDS called protease inhibitors
• medicines for malaria like chloroquine and halofantrine
• megestrol
• memantine
• metformin
• methadone
• mibefradil
• mifepristone
• other medicines to control heart rhythm
• pentamidine
• phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
• ranolazine
• sertindole
• telithromycin
• thiazide diuretics
• trimethoprim
• trospium
• vardenafil
• verapamil
• ziprasidone

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• antidepressants called SSRIs
• certain medicines for fungal infections like fluconazole or voriconazole
• certain heart medicines like digoxin or diltiazem
• diuretics
• dronabinol, THC
• norfloxacin
• quinine
• zafirlukast

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.