About Tikosyn
Tikosyn is an antiarrhythmic, or a medication used to correct irregular heartbeats, restoring normal rhythm. It works by slowing nerve impulses in the heart muscle.
Tikosyn (dofetilide) is only available by prescription. Consult
your physician before using any other type of medication with
your treatment, even over the counter medications. Follow
your doctor'sand pharmacist's usage directions carefully.
Tikosyn Side Effects
Common Side Effects: Dizziness, fainting, fast or irregular
heartbeat, lightheadedness.
Less Common Side Effects: Chest pain, confusion,
difficulty breathing, facial paralysis, nombness or tingling
of the face or extremities, paralysis, pounding heartbeat,
shortness of breath, slow heartbeat, slurring speech, swollen
extremities or mouth area, tiredness or weakness, weight gain,
yellow eyes or skin.
Report any of the above conditions to your doctor as soon
as possible.
Other side effects may occur at the beginning of treatment,
but generally do not persist. If you experience continuing
aches and pains, flu-like symptoms, headache, insomnia, or
other feelings of general illness that don't go away or seem
unusually severe, check with your doctor.
Cautions: Tikosyn is not for everyone. If you have
a history of any of the following conditions, discuss them
with your doctor when considering treatment options.
- Allergy: If you have ever exhibited allergic reactions
to this medication, you shouldn't use it. Medication allergies
are generally permanent, and may extend to an entire class
of prescription drugs in some cases. Let your doctor or
pharmacist know if you have any food or dye allergies, as
this may influence which formula of the medication you get.
- Electrolyte disorders (e.g., low potassium
or magnesium levels): May cause irregular heartbeats.
- Heart rhythm problems: May cause irregular
heartbeats.
- Liver disorders (severe): Safety with
these conditions is unknown.
- Kidney disorders: Higher blood levels
may occur, possibly increasing the chance of side effects.
Your doctor might need to change your dose.
Tikosyn Interactions
Avoid taking any medications along with your treatment unless you
discuss them with your doctor first. This includes over the
counter treatments. Any of the following medications may cause
irregular heartbeat in combination with Tikosyn.
- Antibiotics of the macrolide class, trimethoprim, or sulfamethoxazole,
either by themselves or in combination.
- Calan (verapamil)
- Cordarone (amiodarone)
- Heart or other antiarrhythmic medication within the last
3 months.
- Megace (megestrol)
- Nizoral (ketoconazole)
- Phenothiazine tranquilizers
- Propulsid (cisapride)
- Tagamet, Tagamet HB
(cimetidine) - This over the counter medication may
interfere with the effectiveness and safety of treatment.
- Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil
(amitriptyline), Asendin (amoxapine), Anafranil (clomipramine),
Pertofrane or Norpramin (desipramine), Sinequan
(doxepin), Tofranil (imipramine), Aventyl or Pamelor
(nortriptyline),
Vivactil (protriptyline),
and Surmontil (trimipramine)
- Vascor (bepridil)
Tikosyn Dosages
The dose of dofetilide will be different for different patients.
Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label.
The following information includes only the average doses
of dofetilide. If your dose is different, do not change it
unless your doctor tells you to do so.
Standard dosages of Tikosyn range from 125mcg - 500 mcg twice
daily, on average, for adult patients with abnormal heart
rhythm.
Tikosyn Directions
Use this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do
not use more or less of it, and do not use it more often than
your doctor ordered. This medicine works best when there is
a constant amount in the body. To help keep the amount constant,
it is best to take the doses at the same time every day.
If you do miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose
and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double
doses.
Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
Keep out of the reach of children. Overdose of dofetilide is very dangerous in young children.
Tikosyn and Pregnancy
Animal studies indicate that this medication may cause birth defects.
Tikosyn should not be taken while pregnant or breast feeding.Tikosyn and Children
This medication has not been studied in individuals under the age of 18.
Tikosyn and Seniors
Tikosyn has not been shown to have different effects in adults over the age of 65 than it does in younger adults.
Tikosyn is a trademark of Pfizer
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This document is provided for information only. It is not a substitute for consultation with a physician, either to diagnose symptoms or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general guidelines only, please follow the directions of your doctor or pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made every effort to ensure that this information is accurate, but only your doctor can say if a medication, or drug combination, is safe for you. Information intended for US residents only.
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