Drug interactions
Pimozide + Verapamil
Severity: Contraindicated
Pimozide and Verapamil: 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
Verapamil inhibits CYP3A4 and can raise pimozide levels, and it may also contribute to bradycardia and conduction effects. Higher pimozide exposure increases the risk of QT prolongation and torsades de pointes.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pimozide and Verapamil 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; Verapamil belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated pimozide metabolism, with additive cardiac effects.
What to do
Avoid the combination and choose a non-interacting calcium channel blocker or other agent. Monitor ECG if no alternative exists.
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 Verapamil
- Dofetilide + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Flibanserin + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Lomitapide + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Lonafarnib + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Acebutolol + Verapamil Major
- Alfentanil + Verapamil 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 Pimozide with Verapamil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Pimozide and Verapamil 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. Verapamil inhibits CYP3A4 and can raise pimozide levels, and it may also contribute to bradycardia and conduction effects. Higher pimozide exposure increases the risk of QT prolongation and torsades de pointes.
How serious is the interaction between Pimozide and Verapamil?
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 non-interacting calcium channel blocker or other agent. Monitor ECG if no alternative exists.
What other medicines interact with Verapamil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Verapamil with, for example, Dofetilide, Flibanserin, Lomitapide. The full list is on the Verapamil page.
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