Tikosyn

Atrial Flutter, Atrial Fibrillation, pathologic fistula

Treatment

6 FDA approvals

1 Active Study for Tikosyn

Treatment for

Atrial Flutter

What is Tikosyn

Dofetilide

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Dofetilide is a prescription medication that is approved by the FDA to prevent and treat abnormal heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation and flutter. It works by restoring the normal beating pattern of the heart.

Tikosyn

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Tikosyn 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 Tikosyn Affects Patients

Dofetilide is a drug used to treat abnormal heart rhythms. It works by blocking a certain potassium channel, thus slowing down the rate of the heart. It does not affect sodium channels or the adrenergic alpha or beta receptors.

How Tikosyn works in the body

Dofetilide works by blocking potassium channels in the heart. This makes it harder for electrical signals to move through the heart, which prevents the heartbeat from becoming too fast. It also prolongs the amount of time it takes for electrical signals to move through accessory pathways in the heart.

When to interrupt dosage

The suggested dosage of Tikosyn is reliant upon the diagnosed state, including pathologic fistula, Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter. The amount of dosage is contingent upon the technique of administration as outlined in the table beneath.

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 Tikosyn.

Common Tikosyn 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

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

An ongoing investigation is assessing the effectiveness of Tikosyn in providing relief from Atrial Fibrillation, pathologic fistulae 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

Tikosyn Reviews: What are patients saying about Tikosyn?

Patient Review

6/28/2016

Tikosyn for Prevention of Recurrent Atrial Fibrillation

After numerous failed attempts at other treatments, this drug finally did the trick. Within moments of taking the pill, I was back in rhythm and have been for four months now. Fingers crossed that it keeps working!

Patient Review

3/30/2017

Tikosyn for Atrial Fibrillation

After years of dealing with Afib and flutter, I was really struggling. Cardizem plus Metropalol used to help, but it also dangerously low levels. Flecanaide didn't have any effect. Xaralto finally did the trick for me, though I had to go into the hospital for a cardioversion. But after that, I felt great again!

Patient Review

3/14/2015

Tikosyn for Atrial Fibrillation

Tikosyn has been effective for two years for my chronic A-Fib. A troublesome side effect is the fatigue and brain fog. When I asked my cardiologist about this, he said this was the best solution for my A-Fib, but he was worried about my "brain." Does long term use of Tikosyn cause Dementia or Alzhimers?

Patient Review

6/14/2020

Tikosyn for Prevention of Recurrent Atrial Fibrillation

The goal of this treatment was to stop my heart completely. With the pacemaker and defibrillator, it's been successful in controlling the sarcoidosis in my heart.

Patient Review

7/18/2021

Tikosyn for Atrial Fibrillation

I've tried four ablations already and none of them worked for me. This medication, however, has been a total game-changer. I don't think I've experienced any negative side effects, and it's been two years since I started taking it.

Patient Review

11/26/2020

Tikosyn for Atrial Fibrillation

I've been using this treatment for over a decade with great success.

Patient Review

1/26/2017

Tikosyn for Atrial Fibrillation

I was on this medication for several years before being told that it had become ineffective. After looking at the results of some tests, I can see that there is no longer any point in taking this drug. I'm a little worried about going off of it, but I didn't experience any negative side effects while taking it so hopefully everything will be okay.

Patient Review

1/7/2015

Tikosyn for Atrial Fibrillation

I've been on Tikosyn for over three years and it's worked great with no side effects. However, I'm now out of rhythm and have to go for cardioversion. I hope this isn't the end of the road for this drug, as it's worked excellent up till now.

Patient Review

6/27/2015

Tikosyn for Atrial Fibrillation

I've been on this medication for three months and it's helped me stay in sinus rhythm. However, I now experience a lot of discomfort at night that I never felt before taking the pill. I'm not sure if it's related to the medication or not, but I haven't seen much about this side effect listed anywhere.

4.7

Patient Review

2/22/2016

Tikosyn for Prevention of Recurrent Atrial Fibrillation

The only downside to this treatment is having to be punctual with taking it at the specified times. Other than that, I haven't experienced any negative side effects in the two months I've been using it.

4.3

Patient Review

8/26/2020

Tikosyn for Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia

I've been on Tikosyn for about five months now and, unfortunately, have developed a skin rash with hives and intermittent itching. Benedryl helps to an extent, but not entirely. The hives tend to flair up about half an hour to an hour after taking the medication and are concentrated between my waist and knees. Other than that, Tikosyn has been controlling my VT (ventricular tachycardia) really well. I haven't had any shocks since starting the medication, which is a marked improvement from the ten times I was shocked by my ICD prior to taking Tikosyn.

3.3

Patient Review

5/29/2016

Tikosyn for Atrial Fibrillation

After my AFib progressed, my EP recommended Tikosyn. I was worried after reading some of the reviews on this site; however, I decided to give it a try. So far, I haven't had any reactions and it seems to be working (33% of time in Afib now).

3.3

Patient Review

9/6/2021

Tikosyn for Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia

I had one ablation that was only partially successful. However, I experienced complications due to the colbalt radiation. The side effects of Tikosyn include blurry vision and bleeding of the retina. Although the 12 hour law is maddening at times, it's wonderful not to have arrhythmias anymore.

Patient Review

9/22/2015

Tikosyn for Atrial Fibrillation

I had to get a rheumatic mitral valve replacement and maze procedure done about two years ago. Unfortunately, nothing could control my afib until I was put on tikyson. It's been doing well for me except for the fatigue. There are also a lot of other meds with way too many adverse effects that I can't take because they interfere with tikyson. If you're thinking about taking this medicine, make sure to double check with your PCP and pharmacy first.

Patient Review

12/7/2018

Tikosyn for Atrial Fibrillation

I had a very serious reaction to this medication. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

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

Patient Q&A Section about tikosyn

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

Is Tikosyn a beta blocker?

"Dofetilide (Tikosyn) is not a beta-blocker. It does not have beta-blocking effects at normal doses."

Answered by AI

What does the drug Tikosyn do?

"This medication is used to treat certain types of serious irregular heartbeat, such as atrial fibrillation/flutter. It is designed to restore normal heart rhythm and maintain a regular, steady heartbeat. Dofetilide is known as an anti-arrhythmic drug."

Answered by AI

Is Tikosyn a high risk medication?

"Approximately 3 times as many female patients as male patients experienced Torsade de Pointes as a result of taking TIKOSYN during the drug's clinical development program."

Answered by AI