Ivabradine
- What is it for
This drug can be used for:
- Treatment of chronic stable angina in adult patients whose heart rate is equal to or more than 70 beats per minute or
- Chronic heart failure in patients whose heart rate is equal to or more than 75 beats per minute.
Ivabradine
- Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications
What side effects can
Ivabradine
cause?
Ivabradine may cause slow or irregular heart rate,
exacerbated angina e.g. chest pain, palpitations, low or high blood pressure.
Ivabradine may also cause visual disturbances such as
transient enhanced brightness in a limited area of the
visual field, blurred vision, and may affect driving or
operating machines in situations where sudden
variations in light intensity may occur especially at
night.
Please check with your doctor if you experience any
unusual side effects when taking this medication.
Before taking
Ivabradine
, what precautions must I follow?
Inform your doctor if you have any of the following
conditions:
- Low blood pressure
- Irregular heart rate
- QT prolongation
Please check with your doctor if you are currently
taking any of the medicines listed in “What food or
medicine must I avoid when I take this medicine?”
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to
conceive or if you are breast-feeding.
You should also consult your doctor or pharmacist
before taking any other medication (either
prescription or over-the- counter), nutritional
supplements or herbal remedies. Some of these
substances can interact with your medication.
What food or medicine must I avoid when I take
Ivabradine
?
You are advised to avoid taking QT prolonging
medicines such as amiodarone, sotalol, disopyramide
and medicines which inhibits the breakdown of
ivabradine such as ketoconazole, itraconazole,
clarithromycin, erythromycin, ritonavir, diltiazem,
verapamil etc.
Please check with your doctor if you are not sure.
Ivabradine
- Dosage and How to Use
How should
Ivabradine
be used?
Ivabradine can be used to treat the symptoms of
chronic stable angina, or in chronic heart failure.
Ivabradine is usually initiated at a lower dose and your
doctor may increase your dose depending on your
response. It is usually taken two times daily, with or
after food.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you
remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, take
only the usual dose. Do not double the dosage.
