Drug interactions
Foscarnet + Pimozide
Severity: Contraindicated
Foscarnet and Pimozide: 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
Pimozide is a strongly QT-prolonging antipsychotic with documented torsades de pointes risk, and foscarnet adds QT prolongation and electrolyte disturbances. The combination could precipitate life-threatening arrhythmia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Foscarnet 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.
Foscarnet belongs to Anti Virals; Pimozide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation, amplified by foscarnet-induced hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia and hypokalemia.
What to do
Do not combine; use an alternative to pimozide for the duration of foscarnet therapy.
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 Foscarnet
- Cidofovir + Foscarnet Contraindicated
- Foscarnet + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Foscarnet + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Foscarnet Major
- Adefovir + Foscarnet Major
- Alfuzosin + Foscarnet Major
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 Foscarnet with Pimozide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Foscarnet 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. Pimozide is a strongly QT-prolonging antipsychotic with documented torsades de pointes risk, and foscarnet adds QT prolongation and electrolyte disturbances. The combination could precipitate life-threatening arrhythmia.
How serious is the interaction between Foscarnet 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: Do not combine; use an alternative to pimozide for the duration of foscarnet therapy.
What other medicines interact with Foscarnet?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Foscarnet with, for example, Cidofovir, Thioridazine, Vandetanib. The full list is on the Foscarnet page.
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