Drug interactions
Maprotiline + Pentamidine
Severity: Major
Maprotiline and Pentamidine: 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
Pentamidine, particularly when given intravenously, can prolong the QT interval and cause torsades de pointes. Combining it with maprotiline, which also affects cardiac repolarisation, increases the risk of serious arrhythmia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Maprotiline and Pentamidine 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.
Maprotiline belongs to Central Nervous System; Pentamidine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic QT prolongation.
What to do
Avoid the combination where an alternative exists, such as inhaled pentamidine or a different antidepressant. If both are needed, check ECG and electrolytes at baseline and monitor QTc during therapy.
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 Maprotiline and Pentamidine, 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 Maprotiline
- Arsenic trioxide + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Disopyramide + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Maprotiline + Methylene blue Contraindicated
Other interactions of Pentamidine
- Clomipramine + Pentamidine Contraindicated
- Desipramine + Pentamidine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Pentamidine Contraindicated
- Moxifloxacin + Pentamidine Contraindicated
- Nortriptyline + Pentamidine Contraindicated
- Pentamidine + Pimozide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Maprotiline with Pentamidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Maprotiline and Pentamidine 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. Pentamidine, particularly when given intravenously, can prolong the QT interval and cause torsades de pointes. Combining it with maprotiline, which also affects cardiac repolarisation, increases the risk of serious arrhythmia.
How serious is the interaction between Maprotiline and Pentamidine?
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 the combination where an alternative exists, such as inhaled pentamidine or a different antidepressant. If both are needed, check ECG and electrolytes at baseline and monitor QTc during therapy.
What other medicines interact with Maprotiline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Maprotiline with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Disopyramide, Dofetilide. The full list is on the Maprotiline 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.
