Medication Information Leaflet

What is this medication for?

Ivabradine is used to treat heart failure, a condition in which the heart is weak and unable to pump enough blood to the lungs and the rest of the body.

Ivabradine works by slowing down your heart rate to reduce your heart’s oxygen need. By doing so, your heart will require less oxygen and do less work to pump blood more effectively around your body.

This medication may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

How should I take or use this medication?

• Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
• This medication should be taken with or after food.
• This medication is usually started at a lower dose and your doctor may increase the dose depending on your response.

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
• You have low blood pressure, slow or abnormal heart rhythm.
• You have liver or kidney problems.
• You have a defibrillator or pacemaker.

What are some common side effects of this medication?

Low or high blood pressure

Changes in vision – temporary enhanced brightness in vision, blurred vision

• Do not drive or operate tools or heavy machinery if your vision is affected as sudden changes in light intensity may occur especially at night

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

Ivabradine may slow down heartbeat, or cause new irregular heartbeats. Symptoms include one or more of the following:

• Breathlessness or persistently tired
• Severe dizziness or fainting spells

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

Avoid taking grapefruit when you are taking this medicine as grapefruit may interact with your medicine and increase the risk of side-effects.

Some medications may interact with ivabradine and affect its effectiveness or increase the risk of side-effects. However, these medications may also be important for your treatment. Inform your healthcare professional of the other medications you are currently taking. Examples include:

• Specific medications for heart conditions (e.g. diltiazem, verapamil)
• Medications that may potentially affect your heart rhythm (known as QT prolongation) (e.g. amiodarone, sotalol, disopyramide)
• Medications for bacterial infections (e.g. clarithromycin, erythromycin)
• Medications for fungal infections (e.g. itraconazole, ketoconazole)
• Medications for viral infections (e.g. ritonavir)

Consult your healthcare professional if you are unsure whether your existing medications can be taken together with this medication.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.

How do I throw away this medication safely?

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.

Disclaimer

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last updated on March 2025