Drug interactions
Nirmatrelvir + Pimozide
Severity: Contraindicated
Nirmatrelvir 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
Nirmatrelvir is given with ritonavir, which strongly inhibits CYP3A4 and can greatly increase pimozide exposure. The result may be QT prolongation and torsades de pointes.
What this interaction means in plain words
Nirmatrelvir 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.
Nirmatrelvir belongs to Anti Virals; Pimozide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Strong CYP3A4 inhibition, mainly by the ritonavir booster, reduces pimozide metabolism.
What to do
Do not coadminister. Use an alternative COVID-19 therapy that does not inhibit CYP3A4.
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 Pimozide
- Adagrasib + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Anagrelide + Pimozide Contraindicated
Other interactions of Nirmatrelvir
- Alfuzosin + Nirmatrelvir Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Nirmatrelvir Contraindicated
- Apalutamide + Nirmatrelvir Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Nirmatrelvir Contraindicated
- Colchicine + Nirmatrelvir Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Nirmatrelvir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Nirmatrelvir with Pimozide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Nirmatrelvir 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. Nirmatrelvir is given with ritonavir, which strongly inhibits CYP3A4 and can greatly increase pimozide exposure. The result may be QT prolongation and torsades de pointes.
How serious is the interaction between Nirmatrelvir 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 coadminister. Use an alternative COVID-19 therapy that does not inhibit CYP3A4.
What other medicines interact with Pimozide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Pimozide with, for example, Adagrasib, Amiodarone, Amisulpride. The full list is on the Pimozide page.
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