Drug interactions
Lithium + Tetrabenazine
Severity: Moderate
Lithium and Tetrabenazine: 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
Tetrabenazine can prolong the QT interval, and lithium may add to this effect. Together they may increase the risk of arrhythmia, and both can cause neurological adverse effects such as tremor and parkinsonism.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lithium and Tetrabenazine 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; Tetrabenazine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QTc prolongation, plus overlapping neurological toxicity.
What to do
Obtain a baseline ECG and monitor it, particularly during dose escalation, and correct electrolytes. Monitor for extrapyramidal and neuropsychiatric effects.
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 Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Other interactions of Tetrabenazine
- Dronedarone + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Linezolid + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Procarbazine + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lithium with Tetrabenazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lithium and Tetrabenazine 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. Tetrabenazine can prolong the QT interval, and lithium may add to this effect. Together they may increase the risk of arrhythmia, and both can cause neurological adverse effects such as tremor and parkinsonism.
How serious is the interaction between Lithium and Tetrabenazine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Obtain a baseline ECG and monitor it, particularly during dose escalation, and correct electrolytes. Monitor for extrapyramidal and neuropsychiatric effects.
What other medicines interact with Lithium?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Lithium with, for example, Thioridazine, Vandetanib, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Lithium page.
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