Dofetilide Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 2, 2025.

Applies to dofetilide: oral capsule.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects. This will allow for changes to be made in the amount of medicine you are taking, if necessary.

Do not use this medicine together with cimetidine, dolutegravir, hydrochlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene, ketoconazole, megestrol, prochlorperazine, trimethoprim, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, or verapamil. Using these medicines together may cause serious unwanted effects.

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may change the amount of this medicine that is absorbed in the body.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This especially includes potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium, or certain diuretics (eg, amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene).

Serious side effects of dofetilide

Along with its needed effects, dofetilide may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking dofetilide:

Other side effects of dofetilide

Some side effects of dofetilide may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to dofetilide: oral capsule.

General adverse events

The most frequent adverse events were headache, chest pain, and dizziness.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Ventricular arrhythmias (up to 14.5%), ventricular tachycardia (up to 12.4%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Torsade de pointes, ventricular fibrillation, atrioventricular block, heart block
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bundle branch block
• Frequency not reported: Angina pectoris, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, palpitation, supraventricular tachycardia, bradycardia, heart arrest, myocardial infarct^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness
• Frequency not reported: Cerebral ischemia, cerebrovascular accident, facial paralysis, flaccid paralysis, migraine, paralysis, paresthesia, syncope^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Chest pain (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Accidental injury, medical/surgical/health service procedure
• Frequency not reported: Asthenia, pain, edema, peripheral edema, sudden death, application complication, injection complication, incision complication, insertion complication, device complication^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Respiratory tract infection, dyspnea, flu syndrome
• Frequency not reported: Cough increased^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash
• Frequency not reported: Sweating, angioedema^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Back pain
• Frequency not reported: Arthralgia^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia
• Frequency not reported: Anxiety^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Frequency not reported: Urinary tract infection^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Frequency not reported: Liver damage^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Dofetilide side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer