Dofetilide

Atrial Flutter, Atrial Fibrillation, pathologic fistula

Treatment

6 FDA approvals

1 Active Study for Dofetilide

Treatment for

Atrial Flutter

What is Dofetilide

Dofetilide

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Dofetilide is a prescription medication approved by the FDA to keep the heart beating regularly in people who are prone to abnormal heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation and flutter. It can also be used to restore the normal rhythm of the heart from atrial fibrillation and flutter.

Tikosyn

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Dofetilide Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Tikosyn

Dofetilide

1999

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Dofetilide, otherwise known as Tikosyn, is approved by the FDA for 6 uses including Atrial Fibrillation and symptomatic Atrial flutter .

Atrial Fibrillation

Helps manage symptomatic, recurrent Atrial Fibrillation

symptomatic Atrial flutter

Helps manage symptomatic Atrial flutter

Normal Sinus Rhythm

symptomatic, recurrent Atrial Fibrillation

Helps manage symptomatic, recurrent Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial Flutter

Helps manage symptomatic Atrial flutter

pathologic fistula

Effectiveness

How Dofetilide Affects Patients

Dofetilide is a medicinal drug used to control abnormal heart rhythms. It helps to keep the heart in a regular rhythm by making the electrical signal in the heart last longer. Dofetilide specifically affects the IKr channel, but not other channels that help the heart's repolarization. It does not affect sodium channels, nor does it interact with receptors for adrenaline.

How Dofetilide works in the body

Dofetilide works by blocking a type of potassium channel in the heart. This blocks the flow of potassium in and out of heart cells, which makes the heart beat slower, and also makes it harder for electrical signals to be passed between heart cells. This helps to regulate heart rhythm.

When to interrupt dosage

The proposed dosage of Dofetilide is based upon the identified affliction, such as pathologic fistula, Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter. The dosage quantity is contingent on the method of administration as featured in the table below.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Atrial Fibrillation

0.125 mg, , 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg

Oral, , Capsule - Oral, Capsule

Atrial Flutter

0.125 mg, , 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg

Oral, , Capsule - Oral, Capsule

pathologic fistula

0.125 mg, , 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg

Oral, , Capsule - Oral, Capsule

Warnings

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Dofetilide.

Common Dofetilide Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Anagrelide

Major

The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Dofetilide is combined with Anagrelide.

Arsenic trioxide

Major

The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Dofetilide is combined with Arsenic trioxide.

Artemether

Major

The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Dofetilide is combined with Artemether.

Asenapine

Major

The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Dofetilide is combined with Asenapine.

Cisapride

Major

The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Dofetilide is combined with Cisapride.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Dofetilide Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Dofetilide?

One active clinical trial is currently evaluating the capacity of Dofetilide to ameliorate Atrial Fibrillation, pathologic fistula and Atrial Flutter.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Atrial Flutter

0 Actively Recruiting

pathologic fistula

0 Actively Recruiting

Atrial Fibrillation

1 Actively Recruiting

Not Applicable

Dofetilide Reviews: What are patients saying about Dofetilide?

Patient Review

2/1/2016

Dofetilide for Atrial Fibrillation

I have used this drug for over 10 years now and it has really helped me.

Patient Review

2/27/2009

Dofetilide for Atrial Fibrillation Electrically Shocked to Normal Rhythm

I was passing out 6-7 times a day before this treatment. I tried multiple medications that never worked, but Tikosyn has renewed my quality of life.

Patient Review

8/22/2010

Dofetilide for Atrial Fibrillation

I've been on this medication for about a month and it's going well so far. The only downside is that my appetite has increased dramatically and I am constipated. Since it is the only new med I have been taking, I can only attribute the side effects to this med. The upside for me, my heart is beating stronger than before, which I take as good news.

Patient Review

2/1/2016

Dofetilide for Atrial Fibrillation

I have used this drug for over 10 years and it has been incredibly effective.

Patient Review

8/22/2010

Dofetilide for Atrial Fibrillation

I've been on this medication for almost a month and it's going great. The only downside is that I'm noticing some changes in my appetite and bathroom habits, but since this is the only new medication I'm taking, I can only attribute those side effects to this drug. On the plus side, though, my heart feels stronger than before - so that's definitely a good sign!

Patient Review

2/27/2009

Dofetilide for Atrial Fibrillation Electrically Shocked to Normal Rhythm

I was passing out 6-7 times a day. Tried multiple medications that never worked. Been on tikosyn for 2 years. Renewed my quality of life.

4.7

Patient Review

10/7/2020

Dofetilide for Atrial Fibrillation

Dofetilide was very effective in treating my heart arrhythmia. I am grateful to have found this medication. However, it does interact negatively with several other drugs, so be careful when using OTC medications or filling new prescriptions.

4.7

Patient Review

2/24/2021

Dofetilide for Atrial Fibrillation

I've been on this medication for a while now, and it's done a great job of keeping my heart healthy. The only downside is that it doesn't play well with other drugs, so I have to be careful when taking anything new. Additionally, the cost is pretty high; luckily, my insurance covers most of it.

4.7

Patient Review

10/7/2020

Dofetilide for Atrial Fibrillation

Dofetilide was very effective in returning my heart to a normal rhythm. However, it does have negative interactions with several other drugs. Be careful when using OTC meds, especially cold meds, and make sure your pharmacist knows to check for possible interactions when filling a new prescription.

4.7

Patient Review

2/24/2021

Dofetilide for Atrial Fibrillation

I've been taking this for a few years now to keep my heart in check and it's done a great job. The only downside is that it can interfere with other medications, so I always make sure to double-check with my pharmacist before starting any new medication. Another bummer is that it's pretty pricey, but thankfully I have insurance coverage.

4.7

Patient Review

5/11/2015

Dofetilide for Prevention of Recurrent Atrial Fibrillation

On occasion, I would experiences mild arrhythmia that would go away after an hour or so.

4.7

Patient Review

10/7/2017

Dofetilide for Atrial Fibrillation

I experienced some side effects while taking this medication, but they were manageable and not overly bothersome.

4.7

Patient Review

4/6/2014

Dofetilide for Atrial Fibrillation Electrically Shocked to Normal Rhythm

I've been taking this for three years now and I'm doing just fine.

4.7

Patient Review

4/6/2014

Dofetilide for Atrial Fibrillation Electrically Shocked to Normal Rhythm

I've been taking this for three years now and I'm doing just fine.

4.7

Patient Review

5/11/2015

Dofetilide for Prevention of Recurrent Atrial Fibrillation

I would sometimes experience mild fibrillation, but it would always go away within an hour or so.

4.7

Patient Review

10/7/2017

Dofetilide for Atrial Fibrillation

I experienced some side effects while taking this medication, but they were not severe enough to outweigh the benefits I received from it.

4.3

Patient Review

1/25/2009

Dofetilide for Atrial Fibrillation

4.3

Patient Review

4/4/2011

Dofetilide for Atrial Fibrillation

I've been in a normal rhythm for over five years now, and I credit this treatment for that.

4.3

Patient Review

1/25/2009

Dofetilide for Atrial Fibrillation

4.3

Patient Review

4/4/2011

Dofetilide for Atrial Fibrillation

This medication has kept me in a regular rhythm for over five years now.

Patient Review

5/11/2018

Dofetilide for Atrial Flutter

I've had a lot of side effects from this medicine, but it's been the only thing that's helped me. The doctor has stopped and restarted it a few times, but I'm currently taking it with no problems other than fatigue.

Patient Review

5/11/2018

Dofetilide for Atrial Flutter

I've had a lot of side effects while taking this medicine, to the point where my doctor had to stop it multiple times. I started taking it again on 4/23 and now the only issue is that I'm always tired.

3.7

Patient Review

12/7/2021

Dofetilide for Atrial Fibrillation

I was on Tikosyn for over ten years without any issues. That is until I was given Zofran intravenously for nausea. After just two minutes of receiving the Zofran, I went into respiratory and then full cardiac arrest! Please be careful when getting prescriptions and make sure to ask about potential interactions with other drugs.

3.7

Patient Review

12/7/2021

Dofetilide for Atrial Fibrillation

I was on Tikosyn for over 10 years and it worked well for me until I had to receive Zofran IV for nausea. Almost immediately after receiving the Zofran, I went into respiratory arrest and then full cardiac arrest! Be very careful when getting prescriptions and make sure to ask about possible drug interactions.

image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about dofetilide

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

What are side effects of dofetilide?

"-Chest pain -Facial or flaccid paralysis -Numbness or tingling of the hands, feet, or face -Paralysis -Pounding, slow heartbeat -Slurred speech -Swelling of the ankles, arms, face, feet, fingers, legs, lips, tongue, or throat -Troubled breathing"

Answered by AI

What is the purpose of dofetilide?

"Dofetilide is used to treat atrial fibrillation or flutter, as well as to prevent recurrence of these conditions. It has also been used to treat paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias."

Answered by AI

Is dofetilide a beta blocker?

"No, dofetilide (Tikosyn) is not a beta-blocker. Dofetilide (Tikosyn) is not a medication that ends in -olol, which are beta-blockers. Beta-blocking effects are not present at normal doses of dofetilide (Tikosyn)."

Answered by AI

Is dofetilide a safe drug?

"Dofetilide may cause an abnormal heart rhythm condition known as QT prolongation. QT prolongation is a rare condition that can cause a fast or irregular heartbeat, and in rare cases can be fatal. Other symptoms associated with QT prolongation include severe dizziness and fainting. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately."

Answered by AI