Drug interactions
Arsenic trioxide + Ziprasidone
Severity: Contraindicated
Arsenic trioxide and Ziprasidone: 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
Both drugs prolong the QT interval, and arsenic trioxide is known to cause torsades de pointes and complete AV block. Together they markedly raise the risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia. Ziprasidone labeling lists this combination as contraindicated.
What this interaction means in plain words
Arsenic trioxide and Ziprasidone 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; Ziprasidone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive prolongation of cardiac repolarization through delayed rectifier potassium channel (hERG) blockade.
What to do
Do not co-administer; use an antipsychotic with lower QT liability if one is needed during arsenic trioxide therapy. Correct potassium and magnesium and monitor ECGs if any antipsychotic is unavoidable.
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 Ziprasidone
- Amiodarone + Ziprasidone Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Ziprasidone Contraindicated
- Bedaquiline + Ziprasidone Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Ziprasidone Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Ziprasidone Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + 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 + Gemifloxacin Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Arsenic trioxide with Ziprasidone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Arsenic trioxide and Ziprasidone 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. Both drugs prolong the QT interval, and arsenic trioxide is known to cause torsades de pointes and complete AV block. Together they markedly raise the risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia. Ziprasidone labeling lists this combination as contraindicated.
How serious is the interaction between Arsenic trioxide and Ziprasidone?
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 co-administer; use an antipsychotic with lower QT liability if one is needed during arsenic trioxide therapy. Correct potassium and magnesium and monitor ECGs if any antipsychotic is unavoidable.
What other medicines interact with Ziprasidone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ziprasidone with, for example, Amiodarone, Amitriptyline, Bedaquiline. The full list is on the Ziprasidone page.
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