Ivabradine
Information about Ivabradine
Ivabradine uses
Ivabradine is used in the treatment of Angina (heart-related chest pain) and Heart failure.
How ivabradine works
Ivabradine is a heart rate lowering medication. It works by reducing the heart rate which lowers the oxygen requirement of the heart. As a result, the heart works more efficiently.
Common side effects of ivabradine
Slow heart rate, Luminous phenomena (Enhanced brightness), High blood pressure, Visual impairment, Atrial fibrillation, Increased white blood cell count (eosinophils), Angioedema (swelling of deeper layers of skin), Weakness, Increased creatinine level in blood, Itching, Heart block, Sick sinus syndrome
Available Medicine for Ivabradine
Expert advice for Ivabradine
- Ivabradine may cause dizziness or sleepiness. Do not drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how it affects you.
- You may experience temporary changes in your vision such as enhanced visual brightness. These changes may occur within the initial 2 months of treatment and should gradually go away.
- Monitor your blood pressure when taking Ivabradine as it can increase your blood pressure.
- Monitor your heart rate when taking this medicine, as low heart rate is a common side effect. Inform your doctor if you experience symptoms of low heart rate such as dizziness, tiredness and low energy.
Frequently asked questions for Ivabradine
Ivabradine
Q. What type of drug is Ivabradine?
Ivabradine is a heart medicine. It belongs to a class of medicine known as hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channel blockers. It works by slowing the heart rate. This helps the heart to pump more blood through the body each time it beats.
Q. Does Ivabradine lower blood pressure?
No, Ivabradine commonly causes an increase in blood pressure as a side effect. This change is temporary and does not affect the treatment with Ivabradine. However, it should not be given to patients with severely low blood pressure (blood pressure < 90/50 mmHg).
Q. Is Ivabradine a beta-blocker?
No, Ivabradine is not a beta-blocker. It lowers the heart rate by selectively blocking the sodium channel present in heart pacemaker cells responsible for the increase in the heart rate.