Drug interactions
Droperidol + Lurasidone
Severity: Major
Droperidol and Lurasidone: major interaction.
Last updated Sources: UK SmPC
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 are dopamine antagonists, so combining them increases sedation and the risk of extrapyramidal effects. Droperidol also prolongs the QT interval, and adding another antipsychotic may add to arrhythmia risk, although lurasidone has relatively little QT effect.
What this interaction means in plain words
Droperidol and Lurasidone can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Why it happens
Additive dopamine D2 blockade, CNS depression and potential QT effects (pharmacodynamic).
What to do
Avoid the combination where possible, or obtain a baseline ECG and monitor the QT interval, correcting potassium and magnesium. Monitor for sedation and extrapyramidal symptoms.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Droperidol and Lurasidone, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
References
- Latuda 18.5mg film-coated tablets - SmPC sections 4.3/4.5 (class statement: some other antipsychotics; "Caution is advised when prescribing lurasidone with medicinal products known to prolong the QT interval, e.g. class IA antiarrhythmics (e.g. quinidine, disopyra") — electronic medicines compendium (UK SmPC)
Other interactions of Lurasidone
- Apalutamide + Lurasidone Contraindicated
- Atazanavir + Lurasidone Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Lurasidone Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Lurasidone Contraindicated
- Cobicistat + Lurasidone Contraindicated
- Conivaptan + Lurasidone Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Droperidol with Lurasidone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Droperidol and Lurasidone can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Both drugs are dopamine antagonists, so combining them increases sedation and the risk of extrapyramidal effects. Droperidol also prolongs the QT interval, and adding another antipsychotic may add to arrhythmia risk, although lurasidone has relatively little QT effect.
How serious is the interaction between Droperidol and Lurasidone?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination where possible, or obtain a baseline ECG and monitor the QT interval, correcting potassium and magnesium. Monitor for sedation and extrapyramidal symptoms.
What other medicines interact with Lurasidone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Lurasidone with, for example, Apalutamide, Atazanavir, Carbamazepine. The full list is on the Lurasidone page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
