Drug interactions
Pentamidine + Ziprasidone
Severity: Contraindicated
Pentamidine and Ziprasidone: 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
Systemic pentamidine can prolong the QT interval and has been linked to torsades de pointes, and ziprasidone has similar effects. Using both increases the risk of serious ventricular arrhythmias. Pentamidine can also cause electrolyte disturbances that worsen this risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pentamidine and Ziprasidone 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.
Pentamidine belongs to Anti Parasitic; Ziprasidone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation through cardiac repolarization delay, with pentamidine-related hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia as a contributor.
What to do
Avoid concurrent use; hold ziprasidone or choose another anti-infective if possible. If unavoidable, correct electrolytes beforehand and monitor ECG continuously.
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 Ziprasidone
- Amiodarone + Ziprasidone Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Ziprasidone Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Ziprasidone Contraindicated
- Bedaquiline + Ziprasidone Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Ziprasidone Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Ziprasidone 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 Pentamidine with Ziprasidone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Pentamidine and Ziprasidone 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. Systemic pentamidine can prolong the QT interval and has been linked to torsades de pointes, and ziprasidone has similar effects. Using both increases the risk of serious ventricular arrhythmias. Pentamidine can also cause electrolyte disturbances that worsen this risk.
How serious is the interaction between Pentamidine and Ziprasidone?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid concurrent use; hold ziprasidone or choose another anti-infective if possible. If unavoidable, correct electrolytes beforehand and monitor ECG continuously.
What other medicines interact with Ziprasidone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ziprasidone with, for example, Amiodarone, Amitriptyline, Arsenic trioxide. The full list is on the Ziprasidone page.
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