Ivabradine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 6, 2024.

Applies to ivabradine: oral solution, oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Do not use this medicine if you are also using clarithromycin (Biaxin®), itraconazole (Sporanox®), ketoconazole (Nizoral®), nefazodone (Serzone®), nelfinavir (Viracept®), or telithromycin (Ketek®). Using these medicines together may cause serious unwanted effects.

This medicine may increase your risk for heart rhythm problems, including atrial fibrillation and bradycardia. Check with your doctor right away if you have fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, or trouble breathing while using this medicine.

This medicine may cause temporary visual brightness, usually caused by sudden changes in light (luminous phenomena or phosphenes). This may happen within the first 2 months of treatment with this medicine. Use caution when driving or using machines where sudden changes in light can happen, especially when driving at night.

Do not take other medicines unless thy have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal (eg, St. John's wort) or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of ivabradine

Along with its needed effects, ivabradine 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 ivabradine:

Other side effects of ivabradine

Some side effects of ivabradine 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 ivabradine: oral liquid, oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most common side effects were cardiac failure, phosphene-like events, and bradycardia.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Cardiac failure (21.7%), bradycardia (up to 10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension, blood pressure increased, atrial fibrillation, ventricular extrasystoles, atrioventricular block first degree, unstable angina, angina pectoris aggravated, myocardial ischemia, blood pressure inadequately controlled, sinus tachycardia, supraventricular extrasystoles, atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia, bradycardia symptomatic, bradycardia asymptomatic, angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, myocardial infarction, hypotension, sudden cardiac death
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Palpitations, sinus arrhythmia, ECG prolonged QT interval
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Atrioventricular block second degree, atrioventricular block third degree, sick sinus syndrome
• Postmarketing reports: Torsade de pointes, ventricular fibrillation^[Ref]

Ocular

• Very common (10% or more): Phosphene-like events (14.5%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Phosphenes, visual brightness, blurred vision
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diplopia, visual impairment^[Ref]

Phosphenes generally occur within the first 2 months of treatment and may occur repeatedly afterward. They were generally reported as mild to moderate in intensity and led to discontinuation in less than 1% of patients. Most cases resolved during or after treatment.^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Pneumonia, bronchitis acute, bronchitis, nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, respiratory tract infection, influenza, cough, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dyspnea^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, hypokalemia, hyperuricemia^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness, ischemic stroke
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Syncope^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Sudden death, fall
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vertigo, asthenia, fatigue
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Malaise^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, gastritis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nausea, constipation, abdominal pain^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Blood creatinine increased, anemia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Eosinophilia^[Ref]

Renal

• Common (1% to 10%): Renal failure^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): Transaminases increased^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Angioedema, rash
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Erythema, pruritus, urticaria^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Muscle cramps^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Ivabradine 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