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Drug interactions

Amitriptyline + Vandetanib

Severity: Contraindicated

Amitriptyline and Vandetanib: contraindicated interaction.

Last updated

For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.

Summary

Vandetanib markedly prolongs the QT interval and has been associated with torsades de pointes and sudden death. Adding amitriptyline, which also prolongs QT, increases that risk further.

What this interaction means in plain words

Amitriptyline and Vandetanib are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.

Amitriptyline belongs to Central Nervous System; Vandetanib belongs to Oncology.

Evidence level: High

Why it happens

Additive QT prolongation through cardiac potassium channel effects.

What to do

Avoid the combination and choose a non-QT-prolonging antidepressant. If a QT-prolonging drug cannot be avoided, use intensive ECG and electrolyte monitoring.

What to ask your pharmacist

  • Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
  • If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
  • Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Amitriptyline with Vandetanib?

MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Amitriptyline and Vandetanib are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Vandetanib markedly prolongs the QT interval and has been associated with torsades de pointes and sudden death. Adding amitriptyline, which also prolongs QT, increases that risk further.

How serious is the interaction between Amitriptyline and Vandetanib?

MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination and choose a non-QT-prolonging antidepressant. If a QT-prolonging drug cannot be avoided, use intensive ECG and electrolyte monitoring.

What other medicines interact with Amitriptyline?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Amitriptyline with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Methylene blue, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Amitriptyline page.

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