Dofetilide Loading

DOFETILIDE ALGORITHM




DOFETILIDE IS CONTRAINDICATED IF:


(A) BASELINE QTc IS > 440 MSEC

(or > 500 msec in patients with ventricular

conduction abnormalities)

QTc Calculator




(B) CLCr < 20 mL/min

CLCr Calculator






****ALGORITHM***


1. Determine CLCr:



*Male Creatinine Clearance =

(140-age) x actual body weight in kg

72 x serum creatinine (mg/dL)



*Female creatinine clearance =

(140 - age) x actual body weight in kg x 0.85

72 x serum creatinine


CLCr Calculator





2. First Dose


CLCr > 60 mL/min: ----> 500 mcg BID


CLCr = 40-60 mL/min: -----> 250 mcg BID


CLCr = 20-40 mL/min: -----> 125 mcg BID





3. Get ECG 2-3 Hours after 1st Dose





4. Second Dose (give ONLY after calculating QTc)


-If QTc increases < 15% and QTc < 500 msec ---> Good to go!


-If QTc increases > 15% or QTC > 500 msec (or 550 msec in ventricular conduction abnormality):

CLCr > 60 mL/min ----> 250 mcg po BID


CLCr = 40-60 mL/min: ----> 125 mcg po BID


CLCr = 20-40 mL/min: ----> 125 mcg po DAILY




5. Beyond 2nd Dose (3rd dose and everything after)


-If QTc still > 500 msec (or 550 msec in presence of ventricular conduction abnormality) --> DISCONTINUE!!!




-OBTAIN ECG 2-3 HOURS AFTER EACH DOSE UNTIL THE PATIENT IS DISCHARGED-





OTHER TIPS:

*If Potassium (K+) < 4.0 mEq/L, replace prior to giving Dofetilide


*Get ECG and Renal Function q 3 months


*Hold Previous Antiarrhythmics for at least 3 plasma half lives

-Amiodarone should be withheld for at least 3 months or when amiodarone levels < 0.3 mcg/ml




DRUGS TO AVOID

-Verapamil

-Cimetidine

-HCTZ

-Ketoconazole

-Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole

-Prochlorperazine

-Megestrol

-Dolutegravir





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DOFETILIDE LOADING INSTRUCTIONS:

PRE-LOADING CHECK:
        DOFETILIDE IS CONTRAINDICATED IF:
                (A) BASELINE QTc IS > 440 MSEC (or > 500 msec in patients with
                    ventricular conduction abnormalities)

                (B) CLCr < 20 mL/min

STEP ONE:  Determine CLCr:


        *Male Creatinine Clearance = (140-age) x actual body weight in kg
                72 x serum creatinine (mg/dL) 


        *Female creatinine clearance = (140-age) x actual body wt in kg x 0.85
                72 x serum creatinine 


STEP TWO:  Give First Dose

        CLCr > 60 mL/min: ----> 500 mcg BID 

        CLCr = 40-60 mL/min: -----> 250 mcg BID

        CLCr = 20-40 mL/min: -----> 125 mcg BID 


STEP THREE:  Get ECG 2-3 Hours after 1st Dose 


STEP FOUR:  Give Second Dose (give ONLY after calculating QTc)

        -If QTc  increases < 15% and QTc < 500 msec ---> Good to go!

        -If QTc  increases  > 15% or QTC > 500 msec (or 550 msec in ventricular
        conduction abnormality):

                CLCr > 60 mL/min ----> 250 mcg po BID

                CLCr = 40-60 mL/min: ----> 125 mcg po BID

                CLCr = 20-40 mL/min: ----> 125 mcg po DAILY

STEP FIVE:  Beyond 2nd Dose (3rd dose and everything after)

        -If QTc still > 500 msec (or 550 msec in presence of ventricular
        conduction abnormality) --> DISCONTINUE!!! 

***OBTAIN ECG 2-3 HOURS AFTER EACH DOSE UNTIL THE PATIENT IS DISCHARGED***


OTHER TIPS:
*If Potassium (K+) < 4.0 mEq/L, replace prior to giving Dofetilide

*Get ECG and Renal Function q 3 months 

*Hold Previous Antiarrhythmics for at least 3 plasma half lives
        -Amiodarone should be withheld for at least 3 months or when amiodarone
        levels < 0.3 mcg/ml 

DRUGS TO AVOID
-Verapamil
-Cimetidine
-HCTZ
-Ketoconazole
-Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole
-Prochlorperazine
-Megestrol
-Dolutegravir