General Information on Tikosyn
The generic and chemical name of Tikosyn is dofetilide, and it falls under the class of antiarrhythmics. Tikosyn is used to treat atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter that lasts longer than 1 week. It acts by causing the fractious period of atrial tissue to increase, thus bringing about normal sinus function. Tikosyn is not effective in patients with sudden uncontrolled attack of atrial fibrillation. You should only buy Tikosyn online if your doctor has prescribed it since it is a prescription drug. The half-life of this medication is approximately 10 hours, but it can be more or less depending on various factors, the most important being creatinine clearance. A patient should be on telemetry or EKG while on dofetilide so that QT and QTc can be measured.
Side effects of Tikosyn
A rare type of ventricular tachycardia known as torsades de pointes is the most serious side effect of Tikosyn. This condition is mostly associated with higher doses of this drug. The immediate withdrawal of Tikosyn is recommended when a patient develops this condition. The other common side effects are dizziness, nausea and respiratory infections. If these symptoms do not wane over time, it is advisable to consult a doctor. Tikosyn has other severe side effects such as severe allergic reactions including hives, dyspnea, swelling or pressure in the chest, irregular heart rate and rhythm, passing out, and myocardial infarction, among others. Most of these are life-threatening conditions and require emergency medical intervention. Rare side effects include liver toxicity and neurologic problems like paralysis or syncope.
Precautions
Tikosyn should be only administered in a clinical or hospital setting due to the need for telemetry and ECG monitoring. In addition, measures for cardiopulmonary resuscitation must be set in place in case of an emergency. Potassium levels should also be determined before the initiation of Tikosyn therapy and monitored while a patient is on Tikosyn. Geriatric patients in particular must be closely monitored. An overdose of Tikosyn is very dangerous as it can lead to a cardiac arrest.
Tikosyn Dosage
Tikosyn comes in a capsule form in three different strengths- Tikosyn 125 mg, Tikosyn 250 mg, and Tikosyn 500 mg. The dose should be adjusted accordingly based on QTc on ECG. The recommended dose is Tikosyn 500 mg twice a day, and this can be adjusted based on the severity of the symptoms. If a patient misses a dose, he/she must not make up for it by doubling it on the next scheduled dose. Tikosyn capsules should be kept at room temperature and away from extreme heat and moisture.
Interactions
Before you buy Tikosyn, you must be aware of its interactions with several drugs. Tikosyn use is contraindicated with drugs like cimetidine, megestrol, ketoconazole and verapamil. It should be used with caution with antifungal agents, protease inhibitors, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and cannabinoids. Diabetic drugs like metformin also should be used with caution along with Tikosyn. Grapefruit juice should also be avoided while on Tikosyn therapy. The concurrent use of the drug is also not recommended if a patient is on tricyclic antidepressants and antibiotics like erythromycin. As such, inform your doctor about every drug you are using before you buy Tikosyn.
