Drug interactions
Mefloquine + Pimozide
Severity: Contraindicated
Mefloquine and Pimozide: contraindicated 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
Pimozide is a potent QT-prolonging antipsychotic, and mefloquine further lengthens the QT interval. The combination carries a high risk of torsades de pointes and sudden cardiac death.
What this interaction means in plain words
Mefloquine and Pimozide are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Mefloquine belongs to Anti Parasitic; Pimozide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation through cardiac potassium channel blockade.
What to do
Do not use together; choose an antimalarial without QT effects. If mefloquine has been taken recently, allow for its long half-life before starting pimozide.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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Other interactions of Mefloquine
- Arsenic trioxide + Mefloquine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Mefloquine Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Mefloquine Contraindicated
- Levoketoconazole + Mefloquine Contraindicated
- Mefloquine + Nilotinib Contraindicated
- Mefloquine + Quinidine Contraindicated
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 Mefloquine with Pimozide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Mefloquine and Pimozide are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Pimozide is a potent QT-prolonging antipsychotic, and mefloquine further lengthens the QT interval. The combination carries a high risk of torsades de pointes and sudden cardiac death.
How serious is the interaction between Mefloquine and Pimozide?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not use together; choose an antimalarial without QT effects. If mefloquine has been taken recently, allow for its long half-life before starting pimozide.
What other medicines interact with Mefloquine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Mefloquine with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Dronedarone, Ibutilide. The full list is on the Mefloquine page.
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