Drug interactions
Artemether / lumefantrine + Pimozide
Severity: Contraindicated
Artemether / lumefantrine and Pimozide: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated Sources: Health Canada product monograph
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/lumefantrine can prolong the QT interval and is also a CYP3A4 substrate with some inhibitory effects on CYP2D6. Pimozide has a high torsades risk, so the combination is hazardous.
What this interaction means in plain words
Artemether / lumefantrine and Pimozide 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 raising pimozide levels.
What to do
Avoid the combination and use another antimalarial if pimozide cannot be stopped.
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 Pimozide
- Adagrasib + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Anagrelide + Pimozide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Artemether / lumefantrine with Pimozide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Artemether / lumefantrine and Pimozide 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/lumefantrine can prolong the QT interval and is also a CYP3A4 substrate with some inhibitory effects on CYP2D6. Pimozide has a high torsades risk, so the combination is hazardous.
How serious is the interaction between Artemether / lumefantrine and Pimozide?
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 another antimalarial if pimozide cannot be stopped.
What other medicines interact with Pimozide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Pimozide with, for example, Adagrasib, Amiodarone, Amisulpride. The full list is on the Pimozide page.
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