Drug interactions
Perphenazine + Pimozide
Severity: Contraindicated
Perphenazine 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
Both are antipsychotics that prolong the QT interval, and pimozide is particularly prone to causing torsades de pointes. Combining them increases the risk of serious ventricular arrhythmias. Perphenazine also inhibits CYP2D6, which can raise pimozide exposure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Perphenazine 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.
Perphenazine belongs to Central Nervous System; Pimozide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive hERG-mediated QT prolongation, plus perphenazine CYP2D6 inhibition raising pimozide levels.
What to do
Avoid concomitant use; use one antipsychotic only. Check ECG and electrolytes if switching between them.
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 Perphenazine
- Ibutilide + Perphenazine Contraindicated
- Perphenazine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Perphenazine Major
- Alfentanil + Perphenazine Major
- Amiodarone + Perphenazine Major
- Amisulpride + Perphenazine Major
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 Perphenazine with Pimozide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Perphenazine 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. Both are antipsychotics that prolong the QT interval, and pimozide is particularly prone to causing torsades de pointes. Combining them increases the risk of serious ventricular arrhythmias. Perphenazine also inhibits CYP2D6, which can raise pimozide exposure.
How serious is the interaction between Perphenazine 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: Avoid concomitant use; use one antipsychotic only. Check ECG and electrolytes if switching between them.
What other medicines interact with Perphenazine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Perphenazine with, for example, Ibutilide, Thioridazine, Adagrasib. The full list is on the Perphenazine page.
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