ibutilide fumarate, a drug used to treat heart arrhythmias. ▪ INDICATIONS: It is prescribed in an effort to convert atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter of recent onset to normal sinus rhythm. ▪ CONTRAINDICATIONS: If it does not result in conversion after an initial 10-minute infusion, a second 10-minute infusion may be given, but not sooner than 10 minutes after the first dose has been completed. ▪ ADVERSE EFFECTS: The side effects most often reported include life-threatening arrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia.
