Dofetilide (Systemic)

Brand Names : Tikosyn

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. The following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to dofetilide.

Pregnancy - Dofetilide has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that dofetilide causes birth defects. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether dofetilide passes into breast milk. However, the manufacturer does not recommend breast-feeding while taking dofetilide.

Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of dofetilide in children less than 18 years of age with use in other age groups.

Older adults - This medicine has been tested in patients 65 to 89 years old and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking dofetilide, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:

• Antiarrhythmic or other heart medicine, such as amiodarone (e.g., Cordarone) taken within the last 3 months or
• Antibiotics like macrolides or trimethoprim, alone or in combination with sulfamethoxazole (e.g., Biaxin, E-Mycin, ERYC, Ery-Tab, Trimpex, Bactrim, Septra) or
• Bepridil (e.g., Vascor) or
• Cimetidine (e.g., Tagamet) or
• Cisapride (e.g., Propulsid) or
• Ketoconazole (e.g., Nizoral) or
• Megestrol (e.g., Megace) or
• Phenothiazines like prochlorperazine or trifluoperazine (e.g., Compazine, Stelazine) or
• Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline or desipramine (e.g., Elavil or Norpramin) or
• Verapamil (e.g., Calan, Covera-HS, isoptin SR, Verelan) - may cause irregular heartbeats

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of dofetilide. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Electrolyte disorders, such as low potassium or magnesium levels or
• Heart rhythm problems - may cause irregular heartbeats
• Liver disease (severe) - Safety in this condition is unknown
• Kidney disease - Higher blood levels may occur, which may increase the chance of side effects. Your doctor may need to change your dose.