Drug interactions
Erythromycin + Ziprasidone
Severity: Contraindicated
Erythromycin 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. Combined use increases the risk of torsades de pointes and sudden cardiac death, and ziprasidone labeling advises against combining with other QT-prolonging drugs.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erythromycin 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.
Erythromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Ziprasidone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive prolongation of cardiac repolarization via hERG potassium channel blockade.
What to do
Avoid the combination and select a non-QT-prolonging antibiotic. If an antipsychotic is needed, consider one with less QT effect.
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 Erythromycin
- Conivaptan + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Domperidone + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Droperidol + Erythromycin Contraindicated
Other interactions of Ziprasidone
- Amiodarone + Ziprasidone Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Ziprasidone Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Ziprasidone Contraindicated
- Bedaquiline + Ziprasidone Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Ziprasidone Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Ziprasidone Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erythromycin with Ziprasidone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Erythromycin 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. Combined use increases the risk of torsades de pointes and sudden cardiac death, and ziprasidone labeling advises against combining with other QT-prolonging drugs.
How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin 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: Avoid the combination and select a non-QT-prolonging antibiotic. If an antipsychotic is needed, consider one with less QT effect.
What other medicines interact with Erythromycin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Erythromycin with, for example, Conivaptan, Dihydroergotamine intranasal, Dihydroergotamine. The full list is on the Erythromycin page.
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