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Overview: Ivabradine is used to treat certain people with heart failure. It works by slowing the heart rate so the heart does not have to work as hard. Common side effects include slow heartbeat, an irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation), increased blood pressure, and temporary bright spots in your vision.

Uses

What is ivabradine used for?

Ivabradine is commonly used to treat certain people with heart failure. 

Ivabradine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does ivabradine work (mechanism of action)?

Ivabradine helps slow the heart rate so the heart does not have to work as hard. In people with heart failure, this can help prevent their condition from getting worse.  

How is ivabradine supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Corlanor

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 5 mg oral tablets 
  • 7.5 mg oral tablets
  • 5 mg/5 mL (1 mg/mL) oral solution

How should I store ivabradine?

Oral Tablets. Ivabradine tablets should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Oral Liquid. Ivabradine oral liquid should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Protect from light. Do not remove from the foil pouch until ready to use. 

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of ivabradine?

The most common side effects of ivabradine are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Slow heartbeat (see below)
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Atrial fibrillation, which is an irregular heart rhythm (see below)
  • Temporary bright spots in your vision

There may be other side effects of ivabradine that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of ivabradine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of ivabradine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Slow Heartbeat. Ivabradine can make your heart beat slower than normal (bradycardia). Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of bradycardia.

  • Feeling lightheaded, dizziness, or fainting
  • Confusion
  • Feeling weak or easily tired
  • Slow heartbeat or feeling of skipped heartbeats
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath

Heart Rhythm Changes. Ivabradine may cause heart rhythm problems that can lead to an irregular heartbeat and fainting. Some people have a higher risk of this, including people with existing heart disease or who take other medicines that affect the heart. Get emergency help if you have any of the following signs of heart rhythm changes.

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or fainting
  • Changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast, slow, pounding, or skipping heartbeat

Atrial Fibrillation. Ivabradine may increase the risk for atrial fibrillation, which is a type of irregular heart rhythm. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Fast or pounding heartbeat or fluttering feeling in your chest (palpitations)
  • Tiredness or weakness
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Worsened shortness of breath

Severe Allergic Reactions. Ivabradine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking ivabradine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use ivabradine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take ivabradine.

  • Corlanor
  • Ivabradine
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific ivabradine products they stock.

Severe Heart Failure. People with severe or worsening heart failure should not take ivabradine.

Low Blood Pressure. People with low blood pressure that causes symptoms, such as dizziness or fainting, should not take ivabradine.

Heart Block. Ivabradine should not be used if the electrical signals in your heart move too slowly (heart block), unless you have a pacemaker that only works when your heart needs it.

Liver Problems. Ivabradine should not be used if your liver is not working as well as it should be. If there is a concern about the health of your liver, your healthcare provider may do tests to determine if it is working well enough to take this medicine.

Pacemaker. If you have a pacemaker and it is entirely responsible for maintaining your heart rate, you should not take ivabradine. 

Drug Interactions. Ivabradine should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking ivabradine, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

What should I know about ivabradine before using it?

Do not take ivabradine unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed. Take each dose with food.

If you are using the liquid form, use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist to recommend an appropriate measuring device.

Do not share ivabradine with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep ivabradine out of the reach of children.

Ivabradine may cause temporary vision changes, such as seeing flashes of light or bright spots. Be careful when driving or using machines, especially at night or in places where the lighting changes suddenly. 

This medicine can cause harm to an unborn baby. You should be on an effective birth control method while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your healthcare provider about effective birth control methods. 

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using ivabradine?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if ivabradine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • Any other heart problems, including an abnormal heart rate or rhythm
  • A pacemaker
  • High or low blood pressure
  • Vision problems
  • Liver problems
  • Kidney problems

Pregnancy. Ivabradine may cause harm to an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking ivabradine right away and contact your healthcare provider. 

Breastfeeding. It is not known if ivabradine passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop ivabradine.

Interactions

Does ivabradine interact with foods or drinks?

Drinking grapefruit juice while taking ivabradine may increase the risk for serious side effects. Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking ivabradine.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect ivabradine. 

Does ivabradine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking ivabradine.

  • Ketoconazole, itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), posaconazole (Noxafil), fluconazole (Diflucan), or voriconazole (Vfend), which is a medicine used for fungal infections
  • Clarithromycin, which is a medicine used for bacterial infections
  • A medicine for HIV or AIDS
  • Nefazodone, which is a medicine used to treat depression
  • A calcium channel blocker, such as diltiazem (Cardizem CD and others) or verapamil (Verelan, Verelan PM), which is a medicine used for high blood pressure or other conditions
  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used to treat depression
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • A barbiturate, such as phenobarbital, butalbital, or primidone, which is a medicine that may be used to treat insomnia, migraines, or seizures
  • Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others), which is a medicine to control seizures
  • A beta-blocker, such as metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, and others), atenolol (Tenormin), or propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL), which is a medicine that may be used for certain heart conditions or to lower blood pressure
  • Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
  • Amiodarone (Pacerone and others), which is a medicine used for an irregular heart rhythm

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of ivabradine. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with ivabradine. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much ivabradine?

If you or someone else has used too much ivabradine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of ivabradine?

If you miss a dose, skip it and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.