Ibutilide Fumarate, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antiarrhythmic (treats irregular heartbeat)

Generic and brand names: ibutilide fumarate, injection; Corvert

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to treat an irregular heartbeat that started within the last 90 days.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

an allergic reaction to any medicine

heart failure, or if you take medicines for any heart problem

Also tell your provider if you have recently had a heart attack.

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This is a very strong medicine. Only healthcare providers experienced with this drug should prescribe it. It should only be given in a clinic or hospital where you can be monitored closely.

What should I watch out for?

Healthcare providers will constantly monitor your response to this medicine. The dosage will be adjusted depending on your response.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider): Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat; chest pain or discomfort.

Other: Headache, nausea, feeling faint.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• alfuzosin (Uroxatral)
• antibiotics such as gatifloxacin (Tequin), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E-mycin), and clarithromycin (Biaxin)
• antidepressants such as amitriptyline, amoxapine, clomipramine, desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), and fluoxetine (Prozac)
• antifungal medicines such as fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox)
• antipsychotic medicines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin), perphenazine, haloperidol (Haldol), quetiepine (Seroquel), risperidone (Risperdal), promazine (Sparine), thioridazine, trifluoperazine (Stelazine), and ziprasidone (Geodon)
• digoxin (Digitek, Lanoxin)
• dolasetron (Anzemet)
• methadone (Dolophine)
• other medicines to treat irregular heartbeat such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), procainamide, disopyramide (Norpace, Norpace CR), quinidine, sotalol (Betapace), dofetilide (Tikosyn), flecainide (Tambocor), and lidocaine (Xylocaine)
• pimozide (Orap)

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.