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ivabradine

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Brand names: Corlanor

HCN Channel Blocker Rx

Ivabradine (Corlanor) is a medicine that helps lower the risk of needing to go to the hospital for worsening heart failure. It works by slowing down your heart rate.

Drug Pricing (NADAC)

Brand Price

$9.53/unit

Generic Price

$4.12/unit

Generic Savings

57%

Generic Available

Yes (6 manufacturers)

Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →

What it does

Ivabradine is used to lower the chance of hospitalization if your heart failure gets worse.

Common side effects

Slow heart rate, High blood pressure, Irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation)

Key warnings

Ivabradine can harm an unborn baby.

How It Works

Ivabradine works by blocking certain channels in your heart called HCN channels. These channels control your heart's natural pacemaker. By blocking these channels, ivabradine slows down your heart rate.

How to Take It

Take ivabradine twice a day with food. The usual starting dose is 5 mg twice daily, but some people may start at 2.5 mg twice daily. After 2 weeks, your doctor will check your heart rate and may change your dose. The goal is to keep your resting heart rate between 50 and 60 beats per minute. The highest dose you can take is 7.5 mg twice a day.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Ivabradine can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not recommended to breastfeed while taking ivabradine.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.

Storage

Store ivabradine tablets at room temperature (between 59°F and 86°F).

Side Effects (from patient reports)

Based on 4,237 FDA adverse event reports.

Using the medicine for something it's not approved for
1,295
Shortness of breath
459
Low blood pressure
413
Feeling lightheaded or unsteady
350
Heart failure
324
Feeling very tired
317
When medicines affect each other
308
Medicine not working
270
Feeling sick to your stomach
253
Slow heart rate
248

FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis

Detailed analysis of 6,539 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2007–2025.

Total Reports

6,539

Death-Related Reports

494

Hospitalization Reports

2,361

Top Indication

Product Used For Unknown Indication

Gender Distribution

Female 3,218 (58%)
Male 2,364 (42%)

Age Distribution

0–17 116
18–44 1,198
45–64 1,578
65–74 993
75+ 791

Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)

# Reaction Reports
1 OFF LABEL USE 1,295
2 DYSPNOEA 460
3 HYPOTENSION 413
4 DIZZINESS 350
5 CARDIAC FAILURE 324
6 FATIGUE 317
7 DRUG INTERACTION 308
8 DRUG INEFFECTIVE 270
9 NAUSEA 253
10 BRADYCARDIA 248
11 HEADACHE 231
12 CHEST PAIN 195
13 MALAISE 185
14 PALPITATIONS 174
15 ASTHENIA 162

Reactions in Death Reports

DEATH 142
CARDIAC FAILURE 63
HYPOTENSION 42
PNEUMONIA 37
DYSPNOEA 34
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY 28
CARDIAC ARREST 28
MULTIPLE ORGAN DYSFUNCTION SYNDROME 22
PYREXIA 21
FALL 19

Reactions in Hospitalization Reports

HYPOTENSION 257
DYSPNOEA 256
CARDIAC FAILURE 246
DRUG INTERACTION 167
OFF LABEL USE 142
BRADYCARDIA 132
DIZZINESS 131
DRUG INEFFECTIVE 130
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY 123
FATIGUE 117

Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation

Serious Warnings

Ivabradine can harm an unborn baby. If you are a woman who could get pregnant, use effective birth control while taking this medicine. This medicine can also cause a very slow heart rate. Your doctor will monitor your heart rate and adjust your dose as needed.

Known Drug Interactions

Cardiac Disorders : ranolazine, ivabradine ↑ ranolazine ↑ ivabradine Co-administration is contraindicated due to potential for serious and/or life-threatening reactions.

Mechanism: Darunavir prevents your body from clearing ivabradine, which causes the drug to build up to unsafe levels. This increase can lead to severe or life-threatening reactions.

What to do: Avoid taking these two drugs at the same time to prevent serious health risks.

Cardiovascular Drugs, Miscellaneous Ivabradine Ranolazine Contraindicated during and 2 weeks after itraconazole treatment.

Mechanism: Itraconazole stops your body from processing ivabradine, which can lead to a risky buildup of the heart medication.

What to do: Avoid using these two drugs at the same time or within two weeks of finishing your itraconazole prescription.

ivabradine ↑ ivabradine Co-administration with ivabradine is contraindicated due to potential for bradycardia or conduction disturbances [see Contraindications (4) ] .

Mechanism: Ritonavir blocks the breakdown of ivabradine, which makes the drug build up in your body. This can cause your heart to beat too slowly or skip beats.

What to do: Do not take these two medicines together. Your doctor will need to prescribe a different medication.

Pimozide, Quinidine, Ivabradine (CYP3A4 Inhibition) Not Studied In Vivo or In Vitro , but Drug Plasma Exposure Likely to be Increased Contraindicated because of potential for QT prolongation and rare occurrence of torsade de pointes.

Mechanism: Voriconazole stops the body from breaking down ivabradine, which can lead to dangerously high levels of the drug in the blood. This increase can cause serious and potentially life-threatening heart rhythm problems.

What to do: Do not take these two medications together. Your doctor should find an alternative treatment to avoid serious heart risks.

moderate digoxin

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel blocker Ivabradine Can increase the risk of bradycardia.

Mechanism: Both of these medications work to slow down the heart. When taken together, they can cause the heart rate to drop to a level that is too slow.

What to do: Your doctor should check your pulse and heart rate often. Contact your doctor if you feel unusually weak, dizzy, or short of breath.

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Common Questions

What should I do if I feel dizzy while taking ivabradine?
Tell your doctor if you feel dizzy. They may need to adjust your dose.
Can I drink grapefruit juice while taking ivabradine?
No, avoid grapefruit juice while taking ivabradine. It can increase the amount of the drug in your body.
Will ivabradine cure my heart failure?
No, ivabradine does not cure heart failure. It helps to manage your symptoms and reduce the risk of hospitalization.
Can I stop taking ivabradine on my own?
No, do not stop taking ivabradine without talking to your doctor first.
Does ivabradine affect my blood pressure?
Ivabradine can sometimes cause changes in blood pressure, including high blood pressure.
Can I take other heart medications with ivabradine?
Talk to your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including heart medications, before starting ivabradine.
What if my heart rate goes too low?
Tell your doctor right away if you feel dizzy, tired, or have a very slow heart rate.
How often will my doctor check my heart rate?
Your doctor will check your heart rate regularly, especially when you first start taking ivabradine and after any dose changes.
Can ivabradine cause vision problems?
Yes, ivabradine can cause temporary vision problems like seeing bright flashes of light.
Are there any foods I should avoid while taking ivabradine?
Avoid grapefruit juice. Otherwise, there are no specific food restrictions.
What are the common side effects of ivabradine?
The most commonly reported side effects of ivabradine include Slow heart rate, High blood pressure, Irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation), Seeing bright flashes of light. Based on 4,237 FDA adverse event reports. Always consult your healthcare provider about potential side effects.
Does ivabradine interact with other medications?
Yes, ivabradine has 10 known drug interactions. Notable interactions include darunavir, itraconazole, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. Always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.
What drug class is ivabradine?
ivabradine belongs to the HCN Channel Blocker drug class. It requires a prescription (Rx). Ivabradine is used to lower the chance of hospitalization if your heart failure gets worse.
Is there a generic version of ivabradine?
Yes, generic ivabradine is available from 6 manufacturers. The generic costs $4.12 per unit compared to $9.53 for the brand version, saving approximately 57%. Pricing is based on NADAC (National Average Drug Acquisition Cost) data from CMS.
Is ivabradine safe during pregnancy?
Ivabradine can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

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What the FDA Data Shows for ivabradine

The FDA label for ivabradine (sold under brand names such as Corlanor) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the HCN Channel Blocker class. Ivabradine is used to lower the chance of hospitalization if your heart failure gets worse. Official labeling lists 4 commonly reported side effects, including Slow heart rate, High blood pressure, Irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation).

Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 4,237 voluntary reports. The database also lists 10 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $4.12 versus $9.53 for the brand — a 57% generic savings.

Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

Data Sources

Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).

FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Last updated: April 15, 2025

All federal data sources used on this page