Drug interactions
Erythromycin lactobionate + Pimozide
Severity: Contraindicated
Erythromycin lactobionate and Pimozide: 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
Intravenous erythromycin inhibits pimozide clearance and adds its own QT-prolonging effect. The result can be marked QTc prolongation, torsades de pointes and sudden death.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erythromycin lactobionate 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.
Erythromycin lactobionate belongs to Anti Bacterial; Pimozide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Erythromycin inhibits CYP3A4 metabolism of pimozide, with additive QT prolongation.
What to do
Avoid the combination. Choose a non-macrolide antibiotic, or hold pimozide if macrolide therapy is unavoidable and cardiac monitoring is available.
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
Other interactions of Erythromycin lactobionate
- Cisapride + Erythromycin lactobionate Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Erythromycin lactobionate Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Erythromycin lactobionate Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Erythromycin lactobionate Contraindicated
- Ergotamine + Erythromycin lactobionate Contraindicated
- Erythromycin lactobionate + Flibanserin Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erythromycin lactobionate with Pimozide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Erythromycin lactobionate 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. Intravenous erythromycin inhibits pimozide clearance and adds its own QT-prolonging effect. The result can be marked QTc prolongation, torsades de pointes and sudden death.
How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin lactobionate 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. Choose a non-macrolide antibiotic, or hold pimozide if macrolide therapy is unavoidable and cardiac monitoring is available.
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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