Drug interactions
Pimozide + Sertraline
Severity: Contraindicated
Pimozide and Sertraline: 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 prolongs the QT interval and sertraline can raise its concentrations, increasing the risk of torsades de pointes and sudden cardiac death. The pimozide label contraindicates combining it with sertraline.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pimozide and Sertraline 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 belongs to Central Nervous System; Sertraline belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Sertraline inhibits CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 pathways involved in pimozide metabolism, adding to the pimozide's own QT-prolonging effect.
What to do
Avoid the combination and choose a different antidepressant or antipsychotic. If pimozide is essential, use an antidepressant with little CYP inhibition and monitor ECG.
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 Sertraline
- Isocarboxazid + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Selegiline transdermal + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Selegiline + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Sertraline + Thioridazine 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 Pimozide with Sertraline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Pimozide and Sertraline 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 prolongs the QT interval and sertraline can raise its concentrations, increasing the risk of torsades de pointes and sudden cardiac death. The pimozide label contraindicates combining it with sertraline.
How serious is the interaction between Pimozide and Sertraline?
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 the combination and choose a different antidepressant or antipsychotic. If pimozide is essential, use an antidepressant with little CYP inhibition and monitor ECG.
What other medicines interact with Sertraline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Sertraline with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Methylene blue, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Sertraline page.
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