Question 1

How can I lower the cost of my dofetilide

Accepted Answer

You can lower cost of your dofetilide using one of the 4 following drug savings programs: Rx Advantage Card for dofetilide, Canadian Prescription Savings for dofetilide, dofetilide Drug Coupons, dofetilide Patient Assistance Programs

Question 2

What dosages is dofetilide available in?

Accepted Answer

dofetilide is available as a 125 mcg, 250 mcg, and 500 mcg oral capsule.

Question 3

What is dofetilide used for?

Accepted Answer

dofetilide is an antiarrhythmic that is used for the: Prevention of recurrent atrial fibrillation (AFib) or atrial flutter Treatment of atrial fibrillation or flutter

Question 4

How does dofetilide work?

Accepted Answer

dofetilide is an antiarrhythmic medication. It works by blocking potassium channels, which play an important role in regulating your heart’s electrical activity. dofetilide slows down the electrical activity to keep your heart rhythm normal.

Question 5

How do I take dofetilide?

Accepted Answer

dofetilide is typically taken as 125 micrograms (mcg), 250 mcg, or 500 mcg by mouth twice daily. Your provider will determine the right dose for you based on various factors, especially your kidney function and your heart rhythm.

Question 6

Is it safe for me to take dofetilide?

Accepted Answer

dofetilide is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. dofetilide is contraindicated in patients with congenital or acquired long QT syndromes. dofetilide should not be used in patients with a baseline QT interval or QTc >440 msec (500 msec in patients with ventricular conduction abnormalities). dofetilide is also contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment (calculated creatinine clearance <20 mL/min).

The concomitant use of verapamil or the cation transport system inhibitors cimetidine, trimethoprim (alone or in combination with sulfamethoxazole), or ketoconazole with dofetilide is contraindicated (see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS, Drug-Drug Interactions), as each of these drugs cause a substantial increase in dofetilide plasma concentrations. In addition, other known inhibitors of the renal cation transport system such as prochlorperazine, dolutegravir and megestrol should not be used in patients on dofetilide. The concomitant use of hydrochlorothiazide (alone or in combinations such as with triamterene) with dofetilide is contraindicated (see PRECAUTIONS, Drug-Drug Interactions) because this has been shown to significantly increase dofetilide plasma concentrations and QT interval prolongation. dofetilide is also contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to the drug.

Question 7

dofetilide Common Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Common side effects of dofetilide:  Abnormal heart rhythms Headache Chest pain Dizziness Respiratory tract infection Shortness of breath Nausea Diarrhea Stomach pain

Question 8

dofetilide Serious Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Serious side effects are rare with dofetilide. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.  Arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat: chest discomfort, dizziness, fainting, fast heartbeat

Question 9

Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on dofetilide

Accepted Answer

The following medications may interact with dofetilide:  Cimetidine: Concomitant use of cimetidine is contraindicated Verapamil: Concomitant use of verapamil is contraindicated Ketoconazole: Concomitant use of ketoconazole is contraindicated Trimethoprim Alone or in Combination with Sulfamethoxazole: Concomitant use of trimethoprim alone or in combination with sulfamethoxazole is contraindicated Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) Alone or in Combination with Triamterene: Concomitant use of HCTZ alone or in combination with triamterene is contraindicated

Question 10

Who makes dofetilide?

Accepted Answer

Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers

Question 11

Is dofetilide safe in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

There are no adequate and well controlled studies in pregnant women. Therefore, dofetilide should only be administered to pregnant women where the benefit to the patient justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Question 12

What is the brand name for dofetilide?

Accepted Answer

TIKOSYN

Question 13

How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my dofetilide prescription?

Accepted Answer

After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your dofetilide prescription

Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.

Question 14

How do the NowPatient dofetilide savings programs work?

Accepted Answer

After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.

Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.

Question 15

Are the NowPatient dofetilide savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.

	Rx Advantage Card* for dofetilide	Canadian Prescription Savings* for dofetilide	dofetilide Drug Coupon*	dofetilide Patient Assistance Program*
Insured (federal, state or government)	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured (Commercial or Private)	Available	Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Uninsured	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company

*This is not insurance.

Question 16

Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of dofetilide?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below

	Rx Advantage Card* for dofetilide	Canadian Prescription Savings* for dofetilide	dofetilide Drug Coupon*	dofetilide Patient Assistance Program*
Brand	Yes	Yes	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Generic	Yes	Yes	No	No

*This is not insurance.

Question 17

If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the dofetilide savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?

Accepted Answer

If you are insured with Medicare and the dofetilide drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.

If you are denied Medicaid for dofetilide, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Question 18

I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the dofetilide prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, dofetilide is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed dofetilide for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.

Question 19

I am commercially or privately insured and none of the dofetilide prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.

If you cannot afford your copay contribution, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.

Question 20

If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the dofetilide prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay contributions?

Accepted Answer

If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:

1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for dofetilide

If you are having trouble paying for your dofetilide medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for dofetilide you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:

Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
dofetilide is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers dofetilide
If dofetilide is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications

You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.

2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for dofetilide

If you are having trouble paying for your dofetilide medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for dofetilide you will need to meet the following criteria:

You live in and are being treated in the United States
You are insured and your plan covers dofetilide
If dofetilide is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications

You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.

3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for dofetilide

Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your dofetilide treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for dofetilide you will need to meet the following criteria:

You must be currently insured and have coverage for dofetilide
You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.

You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.