What is Ibutilide?

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.

Ibutilide Side Effects

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.

Ibutilide Interactions

What other drugs 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.

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.

Ibutilide Dosage

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 overdose on Ibutilide?

Tell your caregivers right away if you think you have received too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, gasping for breath, or seizure (convulsions).

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.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com