Drug interactions
Ibutilide + Lofexidine
Severity: Major
Ibutilide and Lofexidine: major 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
Ibutilide markedly prolongs the QT interval and carries a high risk of torsades de pointes, and lofexidine adds QT prolongation and bradycardia. The combination substantially raises the risk of life-threatening arrhythmia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ibutilide and Lofexidine 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.
Ibutilide belongs to Cardiovascular; Lofexidine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation through repolarization delay, with bradycardia as an additional risk.
What to do
Avoid combining; if ibutilide is needed for cardioversion, ensure continuous ECG monitoring with correction of potassium and magnesium and consider withholding lofexidine.
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 Ibutilide and Lofexidine, 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 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Lofexidine
- Adagrasib + Lofexidine Major
- Alfuzosin + Lofexidine Major
- Amiodarone + Lofexidine Major
- Amisulpride + Lofexidine Major
- Anagrelide + Lofexidine Major
- Apomorphine + Lofexidine Major
Other interactions of Ibutilide
- Amiodarone + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Chlorpromazine + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Desipramine + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Dolasetron + Ibutilide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ibutilide with Lofexidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Ibutilide and Lofexidine 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. Ibutilide markedly prolongs the QT interval and carries a high risk of torsades de pointes, and lofexidine adds QT prolongation and bradycardia. The combination substantially raises the risk of life-threatening arrhythmia.
How serious is the interaction between Ibutilide and Lofexidine?
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 combining; if ibutilide is needed for cardioversion, ensure continuous ECG monitoring with correction of potassium and magnesium and consider withholding lofexidine.
What other medicines interact with Lofexidine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Lofexidine with, for example, Adagrasib, Alfuzosin, Amiodarone. The full list is on the Lofexidine 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.
