NSTK · 01.2026Independent supplement reference
NutriStack
Edition 1.0Updated July 13, 2026

Ivabradine

Prescription ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026

Ivabradine selectively reduces heart rate without affecting blood pressure, contractility, or conduction. The SHIFT trial demonstrated reduced heart failure hospitalization in patients with HFrEF and resting HR >=70 bpm on maximally tolerated beta-blocker therapy. It is the only selective sinus node inhibitor approved for heart failure.

Evidence tier
Strong
Indexed sources
10 2022–2025
Interactions
0
Category
Prescription
Read the sources → Compare profiles
Publication status

Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.

See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.

This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.

In short

What the research says.

A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.

Ivabradine selectively reduces heart rate without affecting blood pressure, contractility, or conduction. NutriStack rates the supporting evidence as strong. Common adult dosing is 2.5–7.5 mg twice daily (as prescribed by your physician), though a prescriber sets the actual dose. This profile indexes 10 sources.

What it's good for
  • Reduces heart failure hospitalization (SHIFT trial)6,2
  • Selective heart rate reduction without hemodynamic effects2,3
  • Does not reduce blood pressure or contractility
  • Additive to beta-blocker therapy
What to watch for
  • Bradycardia
  • Luminous phenomena (phosphenes, visual brightness sensations)
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Resting heart rate <60 bpm before treatment2,3
  • Severe hepatic impairment

The bottom line

Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: reduces heart failure hospitalization (shift trial), selective heart rate reduction without hemodynamic effects, does not reduce blood pressure or contractility. 10 sources indexed (2022–2025), with 0 interaction records on file.

The science

How it works, mechanistically.

Core mechanism

Selectively and specifically inhibits the If (funny) current in the sinoatrial node by blocking hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels. This slows the rate of diastolic depolarization in pacemaker cells, reducing heart rate without affecting myocardial contractility, blood pressure, or intracardiac conduction. Heart rate reduction is proportional to the baseline rate.3

Class
Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated (HCN) Channel Blocker
Absorption
Water-soluble; take with food
Dosing

Dosing & protocol.

Common range
2.5–7.5 mg twice daily (as prescribed by your physician)
Recommended form
Oral tablet, taken with meals

Take with food; absorption is delayed by food but bioavailability increases by ~20–40%

Safety

Full safety detail.

Side effects

  • Bradycardia
  • Luminous phenomena (phosphenes, visual brightness sensations)
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Blurred vision
  • Headache
  • Dizziness

Contraindications

  • Resting heart rate <60 bpm before treatment2,3
  • Severe hepatic impairment
  • Acute decompensated heart failure3,2
  • Blood pressure <90/50 mmHg
  • Sick sinus syndrome, sinoatrial block, or third-degree AV block (unless pacemaker present)1,9
  • Concurrent strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (azole antifungals, macrolide antibiotics, HIV protease inhibitors)
  • Pacemaker dependence (HR maintained exclusively by pacemaker)
Sources

Sources, by evidence tier.

Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.

Meta-analyses & systematic reviews

5

Reference material

5
FAQ

Common questions.

Quick answers about Ivabradine, drawn from the data on this page.

What is Ivabradine?

Ivabradine selectively reduces heart rate without affecting blood pressure, contractility, or conduction. The SHIFT trial demonstrated reduced heart failure hospitalization in patients with HFrEF and resting HR >=70 bpm on maximally tolerated beta-blocker therapy. It is the only selective sinus node inhibitor approved for heart failure.

What is Ivabradine used for?

Commonly cited benefits of Ivabradine include: Reduces heart failure hospitalization (SHIFT trial); Selective heart rate reduction without hemodynamic effects; Does not reduce blood pressure or contractility; Additive to beta-blocker therapy. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.

What is a typical dose of Ivabradine?

A typical adult dose of Ivabradine is 2.5–7.5 mg twice daily (as prescribed by your physician). The commonly recommended form is Oral tablet, taken with meals. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.

What are the side effects of Ivabradine?

Reported side effects include bradycardia, luminous phenomena (phosphenes, visual brightness sensations), atrial fibrillation, blurred vision, headache, dizziness. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.

How strong is the evidence for Ivabradine?

NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.

Use this with your stack

Ivabradine in NutriStack.

Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.

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NutriStack is an informational and organizational tool, not a medical service, and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.