Corlanor (ivabradine) is a medication that's taken by mouth to treat certain types of heart failure in adults and children ages 6 months and older. Doses are typically taken twice a day with food. Corlanor (ivabradine) is an HCN channel blocker and is the only medication available on the market in its drug class. While the medication has very few side effects, it won't reverse or cure your heart condition.
To lower the risk of hospitalization for worsening heart failure in adults
To treat heart failure due to an enlarged heart (dilated cardiomyopathy) in children ages 6 months and older
Corlanor (ivabradine) is a hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel blocker, or HCN channel blocker for short. It works by blocking specific channels within your heart to slow the electrical activity in your heart. As a result, your heart rate slows down. This can help put less stress on the heart in people with heart failure.
Source: DailyMed
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Generally well-tolerated with few side effects
Safe to use in children as young as 6 months old
Available as tablets and an oral liquid for people who have trouble swallowing
Can lower your risk of going to the hospital if your heart failure gets worse
Must take twice a day
Interacts with many medications and grapefruit juice
Can't take if you have severe liver problems or if you use a pacemaker
No lower-cost generic available
Take Corlanor (ivabradine) twice a day with food. Taking your doses with food will help your body absorb the medication better. For the best results, take the medication at the same times every day.
If you miss a dose or if your child spits a dose out, don't take an extra dose to make up for it. Skip the missed dose and take the next dose of Corlanor (ivabradine) at its regularly scheduled time.
Avoid eating or drinking grapefruit or grapefruit products while you're taking Corlanor (ivabradine). Grapefruit raises your risk of side effects from the medication, such as irregular heart rhythms.
Speak with your provider and pharmacist about any prescription and over-the-counter medications, supplements, and herbal products you take. Since Corlanor (ivabradine) has many drug interactions, your providers can check that all your medications are safe for you to take together. Some medications to avoid include certain antibiotics and antiseizure medications and St. John's wort.
More tips for Corlanor (ivabradine) oral solution:
Corlanor (ivabradine) oral solution comes in individual dose containers called ampules that are packaged inside foil pouches. Each ampule holds a teaspoonful of solution containing 5 mg of medication.
Keep the Corlanor (ivabradine) ampules in their foil pouch at room temperature until you're ready to use them. This helps protect the medication from light.
Ask your pharmacist for both a reusable medication dosing cup and an oral syringe. You'll need to use these supplies to measure out and take the medication. Call your provider or pharmacist if you have any questions about how to measure out your Corlanor (ivabradine) dose.
How to measure your Corlanor (ivabradine) dose: Pour the contents of the ampule(s) into a medication cup. Then, use the oral syringe to draw up the dose prescribed by your provider.
How to take your Corlanor (ivabradine) dose: Place the tip of the oral syringe into the mouth towards the cheek. Slowly push the plunger until the oral syringe is empty.
Throw away any unused medication and opened ampules after each dose; they can't be saved for a later time.
Corlanor (ivabradine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Based on animal studies, Corlanor (ivabradine) might cause harm to unborn babies when it's taken during pregnancy. Be sure to use a reliable method of birth control while you're taking Corlanor (ivabradine) to prevent pregnancy. Talk to your provider right away if you become pregnant.
Corlanor (ivabradine) can raise your risk of developing a heart rhythm problem called atrial fibrillation (also known as AFib). In addition to having an irregular heart rhythm, this problem can raise your risk of complications, such as blood clots that can potentially lead to stroke or heart attack. You'll need to have your heart checked regularly for AFib while you're taking Corlanor (ivabradine). Let your provider know if you ever feel lightheaded, short of breath, or feel your heart racing with chest pressure.
Risk factors: Using other heart medications that slow down your heart rate | Certain heart conditions
Corlanor (ivabradine) can slow down your heart rate. If your heart rate is too slow, you can develop serious heart rhythm conditions. Make sure you're checking your heart rate and blood pressure at home as instructed by your provider. Let your provider know if you ever feel dizzy or extremely tired. Also tell your provider if you have a very low heart rate or low blood pressure.
Adults: The typical starting dose is 5 mg by mouth twice a day with food. The dose can be raised to a maximum of 7.5 mg twice a day if needed.
Children ages 6 months and older weighing more than 88 pounds (40 kg): The typical starting dose is 2.5 mg by mouth twice a day with food. The dose can be raised to a maximum of 7.5 mg twice a day if needed.
Children ages 6 months and older weighing less than 88 pounds (40 kg): The typical dose is 0.05 mg/kg of body weight by mouth twice a day with food. The maximum dose varies since it's based on your child's age and weight, but should never be more than 7.5 mg twice a day. The provider will help calculate the right dose for you to give to your child.
Sudden worsening heart failure
Low blood pressure
Heart rhythm problem called sick sinus syndrome
Certain types of heart block
Slow heart rate
Currently have a pacemaker
Severe liver problems
Taking certain medications known as CYP3A4 inhibitors
To lower the risk of hospitalization for worsening heart failure in adults
To treat heart failure due to an enlarged heart (dilated cardiomyopathy) in children ages 6 months and older
Heart failure in adults and children ages 5 years and older
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) in adults
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American Heart Association. (2022). Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).
American Heart Association. (2023). Heart failure signs and symptoms.
Amgen Inc. (2022). Corlanor- ivabradine tablet, film coated; ivabradine solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Carerras, E., et al. (2019). Table 31.1: CYP3A4 substrates, inhibitors and inducers commonly used in HSCT (non-limitative list) (Flockhart 2018; Medicines Complete 2018). The EBMT Handbook: Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, 7th edition.
Fala, L. (2016). Corlanor (ivabradine), first HCN channel blocker, FDA approved for the treatment of patients with heart failure. American Health & Drug Benefits.
MedlinePlus. (2022). Sick sinus syndrome.
Natale, E., et al. (2018). Decreasing heart rate in heart failure pros and cons. Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2020). St. John’s wort.
Simko, F., et al. (2021). Ivabradine and blood pressure reduction: Underlying pleiotropic mechanisms and clinical implications. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). Grapefruit juice and some drugs don't mix.
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