Has your doctor prescribed Ivabradine for you or someone in your family for heart failure? If so, it is very important to know exactly what this medicine is. Because having a correct understanding of any medicine is very important for your health and safety. Today, we will talk briefly about Ivabradine, what it does, how to use it, and the things to be careful about.
What kind of medicine is Ivabradine?
Simply put, Ivabradine is a medicine used to treat heart failure. Our heart is like a pump that works continuously. When this pump stops working, we call it heart failure.
Now, let's see what this medicine does. Ivabradine slows down your heart rate a little. Think about it, when your heart beats slower, it has more time to fill with blood. Then the amount of blood that can be pumped around the body at one time increases. This reduces the workload on the heart, making it work more efficiently. This is the main function of this medicine.
Things to tell your doctor before taking medication
Before starting Ivabradine, it is essential to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. This medicine may not be compatible with some medical conditions. If you have any of the conditions below, be sure to inform your doctor about it.
| Situation to be reported | Description |
|---|---|
| Other diseases of the heart | If you have other heart rhythm problems, such as sick sinus syndrome, sinoatrial block, or third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block. If you use a pacemaker. |
| Recent worsening of heart condition | If your heart condition has worsened recently, please tell us about it. |
| Liver Disease | If you have a liver condition, it can change the way the medicine works in the body. |
| Low blood pressure or heart rate | If your blood pressure is low or your resting heart rate is very low. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding, it is imperative that you tell your doctor. |
| Allergies | Tell us if you have any allergies to Ivabradine or any other medicine, food, or dye. |
How should I use this medicine?
It is very important to take the correct dosage at the correct time, exactly as prescribed by the doctor.
- Swallow this pill with a glass of water.
- Always take this medicine with food . This helps the body absorb the medicine better.
- Get into the habit of taking your medicine at the same time every day. If it's morning and evening, take it at the same times.
- Never stop taking medication or change the dosage without your doctor's advice.
It is very important not to drink grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking this medication. This can have an unwanted effect on the effectiveness of the medication.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more than the prescribed dose, immediately contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital. Or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. This medicine is for you only. Never share your medicine with others.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, skip it. Take your next dose at the usual time. Never take two pills at once to make up for a missed dose.
Other medications that may interact with Ivabradine
Some medications can cause problems when taken with Ivabradine. Therefore, you should inform your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, traditional medicines, vitamins, and even herbal products.
| Medicines that should not be taken with Ivabradine and which you should be careful of | |
|---|---|
| Do not take Ivabradine with this medicine. | |
| |
| Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking this medication. | |
|
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Regular medical check-ups: After starting the medication, go for regular check-ups as directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they worsen.
- Vision changes: Some people may experience slight changes in their vision while taking this medication. It may seem like your eyes suddenly turn blue when exposed to bright light. This should be especially noted when driving at night. This condition usually subsides with continued use of the medication.
- Pregnancy: This is very important. You should avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medicine. It can cause serious harm to an unborn baby. If you are planning to become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, talk to your doctor right away.
What are the possible side effects of the medicine?
Like all medicines, Ivabradine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
| Side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
|---|---|
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Changes in heart rate | Chest pain, dizziness, difficulty breathing, feeling like your heart is beating fast or irregularly, feeling like you might pass out. |
| Abnormally slow heart rate | If you feel very tired and dizzy. |
| High Blood Pressure | Symptoms such as severe headache and blurred vision. |
| Things to tell your doctor if they persist | |
| Vision changes | If things like sensitivity to light, seeing things as bright, persist or are bothersome. |
How should you store your medicine?
It is also very important to store medicines correctly.
- Keep away from children.
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius). Protect from excessive heat and moisture.
- Throw away expired medication.
Take-Home Message
- Ivabradine is a medication used to treat heart failure. It slows down the heart rate and increases the efficiency of the heart.
- Always take this medicine with food, as directed by your doctor.
- Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit drinks completely while taking the medication.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking.
- Keep in mind that vision changes may occur, especially when driving.
- Avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medicine. If you suspect you are pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience serious side effects such as chest pain, severe dizziness, or difficulty breathing.
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