Drug interactions
Arsenic trioxide + Gemifloxacin
Severity: Contraindicated
Arsenic trioxide and Gemifloxacin: 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
Arsenic trioxide has a boxed warning for QT prolongation and torsades de pointes. Gemifloxacin also prolongs the QT interval, so the combination increases the risk of life-threatening arrhythmia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Arsenic trioxide and Gemifloxacin 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.
Arsenic trioxide belongs to Oncology; Gemifloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Additive prolongation of ventricular repolarization.
What to do
Do not combine; use a non-QT-prolonging antibiotic. If it cannot be avoided, monitor ECG and keep potassium and magnesium normal.
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?
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Other interactions of Gemifloxacin
- Dofetilide + Gemifloxacin Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Ziprasidone Contraindicated
Other interactions of Arsenic trioxide
- Amiodarone + Arsenic trioxide Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Arsenic trioxide Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Clomipramine Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Fluphenazine Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Arsenic trioxide with Gemifloxacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Arsenic trioxide and Gemifloxacin 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. Arsenic trioxide has a boxed warning for QT prolongation and torsades de pointes. Gemifloxacin also prolongs the QT interval, so the combination increases the risk of life-threatening arrhythmia.
How serious is the interaction between Arsenic trioxide and Gemifloxacin?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not combine; use a non-QT-prolonging antibiotic. If it cannot be avoided, monitor ECG and keep potassium and magnesium normal.
What other medicines interact with Gemifloxacin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Gemifloxacin with, for example, Dofetilide, Ibutilide, Pimozide. The full list is on the Gemifloxacin page.
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