ivabradine
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.
What is Corlanor (ivabradine)?
What is Corlanor (ivabradine) used for?
- 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
How Corlanor (ivabradine) works
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.
Drug facts
More on Corlanor (ivabradine) essentials
Side effects of Corlanor (ivabradine)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Slowed heart rate (10%)
- High blood pressure or a rise in blood pressure (9%)
- Abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation (AFib; 8%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Flashes of light or changes to your vision
Corlanor (ivabradine) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Irregular heart rhythm: a racing or pounding heart, chest pressure or pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting
- Slow heart rate: dizziness, a tired feeling, unexplainable lack of energy; poor feeding, trouble breathing, or turning blue in children
The following Corlanor (ivabradine) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing
- Increase in blood pressure
- Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
- Slow heartbeat—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, confusion, trouble breathing, unusual weakness or fatigue
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Luminous phenomena—seeing temporary bright or flashing spots, halos around lights, shifting patterns or colors
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Pros and cons of Corlanor (ivabradine)
Pros
- 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
Cons
- 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
Pharmacist tips for Corlanor (ivabradine)
- 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.
Common questions about Corlanor (ivabradine)
No, Corlanor (ivabradine) isn't a beta blocker. Similar to beta blockers, Corlanor (ivabradine) slows down your heart rate to help manage heart failure. But it does so in a different way.
It takes about 30 hours for most of Corlanor (ivabradine) to leave your body after a single dose. This is based on its half-life, which is a measure of how long it takes for the amount of medication in your body to be cut in half.
Weight gain wasn't a reported side effect during studies of people taking Corlanor (ivabradine). If you've gained weight, it could be a sign of worsening heart failure. Talk to your provider about how often you should check your weight and when to call if you've gained too much.
Some research suggests that Corlanor (ivabradine) might be able to lower blood pressure. But more research is needed to confirm this effect. Keep in mind that people who have very low blood pressure shouldn't take Corlanor (ivabradine); this might be because of its potential of lower blood pressure.
Everyone has a slightly different reaction to Corlanor (ivabradine), and it depends on what your heart rate is before you start taking this medication. At recommended doses, Corlanor (ivabradine) typically lowers heart rate by 10 beats per minute (bpm). The goal of therapy is to lower the resting heart rate to between 50 and 60 beats per minute in adults and to lower the resting heart rate by 20% in children.
Corlanor (ivabradine) raises the risk for atrial fibrillation (AFib), which is a type of abnormal heart rhythm. Your provider will check your heart rhythm regularly. Get medical help or contact your provider right away if you notice your heart racing, have shortness of breath or chest discomfort, or feel more tired than usual.
Don't stop taking Corlanor (ivabradine) without talking to your provider first. Otherwise, this could cause your heart failure to get worse, which could lead to hospitalization or death.
Don't expect Corlanor (ivabradine) to work right away. It takes time for the medication to get absorbed into your bloodstream (usually about 2 hours). In addition, Corlanor (ivabradine) is typically taken long-term to help manage heart failure in the long-run.
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Risks and warnings for Corlanor (ivabradine)
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.
Harm to unborn babies
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.
Heart rhythm problem called atrial fibrillation
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.
Dangerously slow heartbeat
- 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.
Corlanor (ivabradine) dosage
Typical dosage for Corlanor (ivabradine)
- 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.
How much does Corlanor (ivabradine) cost?
Corlanor (ivabradine) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Corlanor (ivabradine) will not be safe for you to take.
- 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
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