Comprehensive medication guide to Ivabradine including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$60 copay with commercial insurance or Medicare Part D; prior authorization is required on most plans; generic Ivabradine may be placed on Tier 2, while brand-name Corlanor is typically Tier 3–4 specialty.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$800–$900/month retail for brand-name Corlanor; $80–$250/month for generic Ivabradine; as low as $55 with a GoodRx coupon for a 30-day supply of generic Ivabradine at participating pharmacies.
Medfinder Findability Score
72/100
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Ivabradine (brand name: Corlanor, made by Amgen) is a prescription heart medication approved by the FDA on April 15, 2015. It is the first and only drug in its class in the United States — an HCN (hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated) channel blocker that selectively slows heart rate through a unique mechanism not shared by any other cardiac drug.
Ivabradine is FDA-approved to reduce the risk of hospitalization for worsening heart failure in adults with stable, symptomatic chronic heart failure with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 35% or less, who are in sinus rhythm with a resting heart rate of at least 70 beats per minute and are on the maximum tolerated dose of a beta-blocker, or have a contraindication to beta-blockers. It is also approved for stable symptomatic heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy in pediatric patients ages 6 months and older.
Off-label, Ivabradine is also used by some cardiologists for inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST) and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). It is not a DEA-controlled substance and can be prescribed by any licensed provider, including via telehealth.
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Ivabradine works by selectively blocking the HCN (hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated) channels in the sinoatrial (SA) node — the heart's natural pacemaker located in the right atrium. These channels produce what scientists call the "funny current" (I(f)), which drives the slow, spontaneous depolarization that determines how fast the SA node fires and thus how fast the heart beats.
By blocking these channels, Ivabradine reduces the I(f) current, slowing the pacemaker's firing rate in a dose-dependent manner — reducing resting heart rate by approximately 10 beats per minute at typical therapeutic doses. Crucially, Ivabradine does NOT affect blood pressure, heart muscle contractility, or ventricular repolarization, making it uniquely suited for patients who need heart rate control without further blood pressure reduction.
Because its mechanism is exclusively through the SA node, Ivabradine only works in patients in normal sinus rhythm — it has no heart rate–lowering effect in atrial fibrillation. The same HCN channels are present in the retina, which explains Ivabradine's unique visual side effect (phosphenes — transient bright spots triggered by changes in light intensity).
2.5 mg — tablet
Starting dose for patients with conduction defects or bradycardia risk; pediatric use
5 mg — tablet
Standard starting dose for adults; taken twice daily with food
7.5 mg — tablet
Maximum adult dose; used when HR remains above 60 bpm at 5 mg BID
5 mg/5 mL (1 mg/mL) — oral solution
Pediatric formulation; unit-dose ampules for children under 40 kg
As of 2026, Ivabradine is NOT on the FDA's official Drug Shortage Database — there is no declared national manufacturing shortage. However, many patients report difficulty finding it at their local pharmacy. This is primarily due to limited stocking by community pharmacies (which stock medications based on local demand, and Ivabradine has a specialized patient population), the high cost of brand-name Corlanor ($800+/month), and insurance prior authorization requirements that can delay access.
The good news: generic Ivabradine tablets are FDA-approved and available at many pharmacies at dramatically lower prices ($55-$150/month with discount coupons). Hospital-affiliated pharmacies, large chain pharmacies, and mail-order pharmacies are more likely to stock Ivabradine or be able to order it within 1-3 business days. Ivabradine earns a findability score of 72/100 — generally available with minor stocking gaps.
If you're struggling to find Ivabradine at your pharmacy, medfinder can call pharmacies near you on your behalf and text you the results — saving you the time and frustration of calling multiple pharmacies yourself.
Ivabradine is not a controlled substance, so any licensed prescriber in the United States can write a prescription for it. In practice, it is almost exclusively initiated and managed by cardiac specialists due to the complex clinical criteria required for its use. Prescribers who commonly prescribe Ivabradine include:
Cardiologists (especially heart failure specialists and electrophysiologists)
Internists / General Practitioners (for ongoing management of established HF patients)
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) working in cardiology or heart failure programs
Pediatric Cardiologists (for pediatric heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy in children ≥6 months)
Because Ivabradine is not a controlled substance, it can be prescribed via telehealth in all US states without special DEA authorization. Patients with established heart failure can receive dose adjustments and refills through telehealth visits with their cardiologist or an advanced practice provider. Initial prescription typically requires recent echocardiography and ECG data to confirm eligibility criteria.
No. Ivabradine (Corlanor) is not a DEA-scheduled controlled substance. It has no abuse potential and is not subject to DEA restrictions on prescribing quantity, refills, or transmission method. This means any licensed prescriber can write for Ivabradine, prescriptions can be called in or sent electronically, and refills are not restricted under federal law beyond standard prescription rules.
Because it is not a controlled substance, Ivabradine can also be prescribed via telehealth without the additional restrictions that apply to Schedule II-V medications like stimulants or benzodiazepines. Patients traveling between states can fill their Ivabradine prescription at any licensed pharmacy without multi-state controlled substance concerns.
Ivabradine is generally well tolerated. Common side effects include:
Bradycardia (slow heart rate): Most common dose-limiting effect; symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath
Luminous phenomena (phosphenes): Transient bright spots, halos, or kaleidoscopic effects in the visual field; unique to Ivabradine; usually mild and transient
Atrial fibrillation: Increased incidence seen in clinical trials; report palpitations or irregular heartbeat to doctor
Hypertension: Unlike beta-blockers, Ivabradine does not lower blood pressure and may be associated with slightly elevated BP in some patients
Syncope (fainting): May indicate severe bradycardia — go to ER
Severe hypotension: Dizziness on standing, near-fainting
Angioedema: Swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat — rare but serious
Pregnancy: Contraindicated; teratogenic in animal studies — notify doctor immediately if pregnant
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Carvedilol (Coreg)
Non-selective beta-blocker; guideline-directed first-line for HFrEF; lowers HR and BP; widely available as inexpensive generic
Metoprolol succinate (Toprol-XL)
Selective beta-1 blocker; first-line for HFrEF; target dose 200 mg/day; widely available as generic
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Cardiac glycoside; reduces HR and improves HF symptoms; narrow therapeutic window requires monitoring; inexpensive generic
Sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto)
ARNI; guideline-directed for HFrEF mortality reduction; often combined with Ivabradine, not a direct HR-lowering replacement
Prefer Ivabradine? We can find it.
Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (azole antifungals, clarithromycin, HIV protease inhibitors, nefazodone)
majorCONTRAINDICATED — increases Ivabradine exposure 7-8 fold, causing severe bradycardia. Includes itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole, ritonavir, nelfinavir, clarithromycin.
Grapefruit / grapefruit juice
majorInhibits intestinal CYP3A4; significantly raises Ivabradine blood levels — AVOID completely. Orange juice and lemon juice are safe.
CYP3A4 inducers (St. John's Wort, rifampicin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, barbiturates)
majorReduce Ivabradine blood levels, decreasing efficacy. St. John's Wort is the most commonly encountered in practice.
Beta-blockers (metoprolol, carvedilol, bisoprolol)
moderateAdditive heart rate lowering — monitor closely. Combination is guideline-directed for HFrEF but requires careful HR monitoring to prevent bradycardia.
Digoxin
moderateAdditive heart rate lowering; monitor HR and digoxin levels closely.
Non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (verapamil, diltiazem)
majorBoth inhibit CYP3A4 AND slow heart rate; generally avoided in HFrEF regardless. Dual risk of elevated drug levels and additive bradycardia.
Amiodarone
moderateAntiarrhythmic that slows HR; additive effect with Ivabradine — monitor heart rate.
QTc-prolonging drugs
moderateIncreased theoretical risk of ventricular arrhythmias; review concomitant QTc-prolonging agents carefully.
Ivabradine is a unique and important medication in the heart failure treatment landscape. As the only I(f) current blocker approved in the United States, it fills a specific niche: reducing heart rate in HFrEF patients who still have elevated heart rates despite maximally tolerated beta-blocker therapy. The landmark SHIFT trial demonstrated an 18% relative risk reduction in cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization, and it is now firmly embedded in ACC/AHA heart failure guidelines.
For patients concerned about cost, generic Ivabradine with discount coupons can significantly reduce the burden — from $800+/month for brand Corlanor down to under $60/month for generic with GoodRx. Amgen's savings card and patient assistance foundation provide additional support for eligible patients. Insurance prior authorization is routinely required but usually approvable with complete clinical documentation.
If you're struggling to find Ivabradine at a pharmacy near you, don't spend your afternoon on hold. medfinder calls pharmacies near you on your behalf and texts you which ones can fill your prescription. It's the fastest way to locate Ivabradine in stock without the runaround.
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