Drug interactions
Artemether + Thioridazine
Severity: Contraindicated
Artemether and Thioridazine: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated Sources: US FDA label
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
Artemether, usually given with lumefantrine, can prolong the QT interval, as does thioridazine. Combined use increases the risk of torsades de pointes. Thioridazine is also a CYP2D6 substrate and lumefantrine inhibits CYP2D6, which may raise thioridazine levels.
What this interaction means in plain words
Artemether and Thioridazine 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.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation, with possible CYP2D6 inhibition by lumefantrine increasing thioridazine exposure.
What to do
Avoid the combination and use a non-QT-prolonging antimalarial regimen. If treatment cannot be changed, stop thioridazine and perform ECG 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?
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References
Other interactions of Thioridazine
- Abiraterone + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Artemether with Thioridazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Artemether and Thioridazine 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. Artemether, usually given with lumefantrine, can prolong the QT interval, as does thioridazine. Combined use increases the risk of torsades de pointes. Thioridazine is also a CYP2D6 substrate and lumefantrine inhibits CYP2D6, which may raise thioridazine levels.
How serious is the interaction between Artemether and Thioridazine?
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 use a non-QT-prolonging antimalarial regimen. If treatment cannot be changed, stop thioridazine and perform ECG monitoring.
What other medicines interact with Thioridazine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Thioridazine with, for example, Abiraterone, Adagrasib, Amiodarone. The full list is on the Thioridazine page.
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