Drug interactions
Hydrocortisone + Pimozide
Severity: Moderate
Hydrocortisone and Pimozide: 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
Hydrocortisone can cause hypokalemia, which increases the risk of QT prolongation and torsades de pointes with pimozide. A reduction in pimozide levels via CYP3A4 is not well established.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrocortisone and Pimozide 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.
Hydrocortisone belongs to Endocrine; Pimozide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Corticosteroid-induced hypokalemia adds to pimozide QT prolongation risk.
What to do
Monitor potassium and magnesium and obtain an ECG if prolonged or high-dose steroid is used. Correct electrolyte abnormalities promptly.
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 Hydrocortisone
- Hydrocortisone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aldesleukin + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aspirin + Hydrocortisone 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 Hydrocortisone with Pimozide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydrocortisone and Pimozide 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. Hydrocortisone can cause hypokalemia, which increases the risk of QT prolongation and torsades de pointes with pimozide. A reduction in pimozide levels via CYP3A4 is not well established.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrocortisone and Pimozide?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor potassium and magnesium and obtain an ECG if prolonged or high-dose steroid is used. Correct electrolyte abnormalities promptly.
What other medicines interact with Hydrocortisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydrocortisone with, for example, Mifepristone, Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent, Smallpox vaccine live. The full list is on the Hydrocortisone page.
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