Drug interactions
Azithromycin + Perphenazine
Severity: Moderate
Azithromycin and Perphenazine: moderate 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
Perphenazine can prolong the QT interval, and azithromycin adds to the effect. Combined use may increase the risk of torsades de pointes, especially in patients with electrolyte disturbances or heart disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Azithromycin and Perphenazine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Azithromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Perphenazine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation through blockade of cardiac potassium channels.
What to do
Obtain a baseline ECG and correct potassium and magnesium in at-risk patients. Monitor the QTc and consider a non-QT-prolonging antibiotic in patients with prolonged QT.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Azithromycin
- Azithromycin + Cisapride Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Domperidone Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Piperaquine Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Perphenazine
- Ibutilide + Perphenazine Contraindicated
- Perphenazine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Perphenazine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Perphenazine Major
- Alfentanil + Perphenazine Major
- Amiodarone + Perphenazine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Azithromycin with Perphenazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Azithromycin and Perphenazine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Perphenazine can prolong the QT interval, and azithromycin adds to the effect. Combined use may increase the risk of torsades de pointes, especially in patients with electrolyte disturbances or heart disease.
How serious is the interaction between Azithromycin and Perphenazine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Obtain a baseline ECG and correct potassium and magnesium in at-risk patients. Monitor the QTc and consider a non-QT-prolonging antibiotic in patients with prolonged QT.
What other medicines interact with Azithromycin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Azithromycin with, for example, Cisapride, Domperidone, Dronedarone. The full list is on the Azithromycin page.
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