Drug interactions
Pimozide + Trazodone
Severity: Contraindicated
Pimozide and Trazodone: 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 drugs can prolong the QT interval, so combined use increases the risk of torsades de pointes and sudden cardiac death. Risk rises with electrolyte abnormalities or underlying heart disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pimozide and Trazodone 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; Trazodone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QTc prolongation; trazodone is a CYP3A4 substrate and pimozide is metabolized by CYP3A4 and CYP2D6.
What to do
Avoid concurrent use and choose an alternative with less QT effect. If unavoidable, monitor ECG and keep potassium and magnesium normal.
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 Trazodone
- Arsenic trioxide + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Levoketoconazole + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Trazodone 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 Trazodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Pimozide and Trazodone 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 drugs can prolong the QT interval, so combined use increases the risk of torsades de pointes and sudden cardiac death. Risk rises with electrolyte abnormalities or underlying heart disease.
How serious is the interaction between Pimozide and Trazodone?
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 and choose an alternative with less QT effect. If unavoidable, monitor ECG and keep potassium and magnesium normal.
What other medicines interact with Trazodone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Trazodone with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Ibutilide, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Trazodone page.
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