Ibutilide is an anti-arrhythmic heart medication that corrects certain conditions of
irregular heart rhythm.
Ibutilide is used to treat atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. If not corrected, these heart
rhythm disorders can lead to heart failure or stroke if not corrected.
Ibutilide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ibutilide?
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to ibutilide.
Tell your doctor about any heart rhythm medications you are taking.
In some cases, your heart rhythm problem can occur again or get worse even after you are
treated with ibutilide. This may be more likely if you have other problems such as congestive
heart failure. However, every effort will be made to quickly treat any additional heart rhythm
problems you may have.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby and
is not recommended in pregnant women unless clearly needed.
It is not known whether ibutilide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby.
In an emergency situation, it may not be possible to tell your caregivers that you are
pregnant or breast-feeding before you are treated with ibutilide. However, make sure any doctor
caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows that you have received the medication.
How should I take ibutilide?
Ibutilide is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this
injection in a hospital or emergency setting.
During your treatment with ibutilide, you will be watched closely with heart monitoring
equipment so that any further problems can be treated quickly. Cardiac emergency equipment
will also be kept nearby in case it is needed to treat you.
Your heart rate will be constantly monitored through electrocardiograph or ECG
(sometimes called an EKG). This machine measures electrical activity of the heart. This will
help your doctor determine how long to treat you with ibutilide.
Heart monitoring may continue for several hours after you have stopped receiving
ibutilide.
What happens if I miss a dose of ibutilide?
Since ibutilide is given as needed by a healthcare professional, it is not likely that you will
miss a dose.
Where can I get more information about ibutilide?
Your pharmacist has information about ibutilide written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of ibutilide?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Your caregivers will watch you closely with a heart monitor and other medical
devices to check for serious side effects. Tell your caregivers if you feel short of breath or like
you might pass out.
Less serious side effects may include:
headache; or
nausea.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about ibutilide?
If possible, tell your doctor
if you have taken a heart rhythm medication
within the past 4 hours before receiving ibutilide.
In an emergency situation, it may not be possible to tell your caregivers that you are
pregnant or breast-feeding before you are treated with ibutilide. However, make sure any doctor
caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows that you have received the medication.
In some cases, your heart rhythm problem can occur again or get worse even after you are
treated with ibutilide. This may be more likely if you have other problems such as congestive
heart failure. However, every effort will be made to quickly treat any additional heart rhythm
problems you may have.
During your treatment with ibutilide, you will be watched closely with heart monitoring
equipment so that any further problems can be treated quickly. Cardiac emergency equipment
will also be kept nearby in case it is needed to treat you.
Heart monitoring may continue for several hours after you have stopped receiving
ibutilide.
What should I avoid while taking ibutilide?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity
after you are treated with ibutilide.
What other drugs will affect ibutilide?
Tell your doctor
if you have taken a heart rhythm medication within the
past 4 hours.
This includes:
amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone);
dofetilide (Tikosyn);
disopyramide (Norpace);
ibutilide (Corvert);
procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl);
quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinaglute); and
sotalol (Betapace).
Some antihistamines can interact with ibutilide. Tell your doctor if
you are using an antihistamine such as:
azatadine (Optimine);
azelastine (Astelin);
brompheniramine (Dimetapp);
chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton);
clemastine (Tavist);
hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril); or
promethazine (Phenergan), used to treat nausea.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with ibutilide. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications,
vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new
medication without telling your doctor.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
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a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
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interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
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Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009