Drug interactions
Lithium + Propafenone
Severity: Moderate
Lithium and Propafenone: 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
Lithium can cause sinus node dysfunction and, at higher levels, QT prolongation, and propafenone slows cardiac conduction. Combined use may increase the risk of bradyarrhythmia and ventricular arrhythmia, especially if lithium levels are elevated.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lithium and Propafenone 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.
Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System; Propafenone belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic effects on cardiac conduction and repolarization.
What to do
Monitor the ECG and serum lithium concentration and keep electrolytes normal. Consider an alternative antiarrhythmic if the patient has conduction disease or lithium toxicity risk.
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 Propafenone
- Dofetilide + Propafenone Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Propafenone Contraindicated
- Nilotinib + Propafenone Contraindicated
- Nirmatrelvir / ritonavir + Propafenone Contraindicated
- Nirmatrelvir + Propafenone Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Propafenone Contraindicated
Other interactions of Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lithium with Propafenone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lithium and Propafenone 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. Lithium can cause sinus node dysfunction and, at higher levels, QT prolongation, and propafenone slows cardiac conduction. Combined use may increase the risk of bradyarrhythmia and ventricular arrhythmia, especially if lithium levels are elevated.
How serious is the interaction between Lithium and Propafenone?
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 the ECG and serum lithium concentration and keep electrolytes normal. Consider an alternative antiarrhythmic if the patient has conduction disease or lithium toxicity risk.
What other medicines interact with Propafenone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Propafenone with, for example, Dofetilide, Dronedarone, Nilotinib. The full list is on the Propafenone page.
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