|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Other drug names: | A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9 |
| Contents of this page: | |
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.--
Dofetilide (DOH-fet-a-lyed) belongs to the group of medicines known as antiarrhythmics. It is used to correct irregular heartbeats to a normal rhythm
Dofetilide produces its helpful effects by slowing nerve impulses in the heart.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:
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:
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:
Patient information about dofetilide is available. Read this information carefully.
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.
Dosing--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.
The number of capsules that you take depends on the strength of the medicine.
Missed dose--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.
Storage--
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects. This will allow for changes to be made in the amount of medicine you are taking, if necessary.
Other medicines: Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This especially includes nonprescription medicines, such as Tagamet and Tagamet HB.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
dizziness; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat
Less common
Chest pain; confusion; 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, and/or throat; troubled breathing; unexplained shortness of breath; unusual tiredness or weakness; weight gain; yellow eyes or skinOther side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
Less common
Abdominal or stomach pain; accidental injury; back pain; chills; cough; diarrhea; fever; flu-like symptoms; general feeling of discomfort or illness; headache; joint pain; loss of appetite; migraine; muscle aches and pains; nausea; rash; runny nose; shivering; sneezing; sore throat; sweating; trouble sleeping; vomiting
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Developed: 03/16/00
| Micromedex, Inc. Disclaimer |
| Health Topics | Drug Information | Dictionaries | Directories | Other Resources |
|
U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894
Copyright and Privacy Policy, We welcome your comments. Last updated: 24 January 2001 |