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Drug Interactions between Haldol and Mellaril

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

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Interactions between your drugs

Major

haloperidol thioridazine

Applies to: Haldol (haloperidol) and Mellaril (thioridazine)

CONTRAINDICATED: Coadministration with inhibitors of CYP450 2D6 may increase the plasma concentrations and adverse effects of thioridazine and its two active metabolites, mesoridazine and sulforidazine, all of which are substrates of the isoenzyme. A study in 19 healthy male patients reviewed thioridazine metabolism in 6 slow and 13 rapid hydroxylators of debrisoquin (the rate of which is believed to be dependent upon the level of CYP450 2D6 activity). A single oral dose of thioridazine (25 mg) produced a 2.4-fold higher peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and a 4.5-fold higher systemic exposure (AUC) for thioridazine in the slow hydroxylators, which is predicted to be similar to what would be seen in patients on CYP450 2D6 inhibitors. Additionally, significant increases (up to severalfold) have been observed during coadministration with fluvoxamine, propranolol, and pindolol in pharmacokinetic studies, although these reductions in clearance may be via other currently unknown mechanisms. The use of thioridazine has been associated with dose-related prolongation of the QT interval, thus elevated plasma levels of the drug may potentiate the risk of ventricular arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia and torsade de pointes as well as cardiac arrest and sudden death. Several cases of torsade de pointes have been reported.

MANAGEMENT: The use of thioridazine with fluvoxamine, propranolol, pindolol and/or drugs that inhibit CYP450 2D6 is considered contraindicated. Depending on the elimination half-life of these drugs, a considerable waiting period may be appropriate following their discontinuation before thioridazine is initiated. For example, the manufacturer of fluoxetine recommends that thioridazine not be administered within 5 weeks after discontinuing fluoxetine because of the drug's long half-life. In addition, the prolonged duration of CYP450 2D6 inhibition by the moderate CYP450 2D6 inhibitor rolapitant of at least 28 days after its administration should also be taken into account.

References

  1. Silver JM, Yudofsky SC, Kogan M, Katz BL "Elevation of thioridazine plasma levels by propranolol." Am J Psychiatry 143 (1986): 1290-2
  2. Greendyke RM, Kanter DR "Plasma propranolol levels and their effect on plasma thioridazine and haloperidol concentrations." J Clin Psychopharmacol 7 (1987): 178-82
  3. Greendyke RM, Gulya A "Effect of pindolol administration on serum levels of thioridazine, haloperidol, phenytoin, and phenobarbital." J Clin Psychiatry 49 (1988): 105-7
  4. Abernethy DR, Greenblatt DJ, Steel K, Shader RI "Impairment of hepatic drug oxidation by propoxyphene." Ann Intern Med 97 (1982): 223-4
  5. "Product Information. Prozac (fluoxetine)." Dista Products Company PROD (2001):
  6. Fletcher GF, Kazamias TM "Cardiotoxic effects of Mellaril: conduction disturbances and supraventricular arrhythmias." Am Heart J 78 (1969): 135-8
  7. Markowitz JS, Wells BG, Carson WH "Interactions between antipsychotic and antihypertensive drugs." Ann Pharmacother 29 (1995): 603-9
  8. "Product Information. Mellaril (thioridazine)." Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Corporation PROD (2001):
  9. Thomas M, Maconochie JG, Fletcher E "The dilemma of the prolonged QT interval in early drug studies." Br J Clin Pharmacol 41 (1996): 77-81
  10. Hartigan-Go K, Bateman DN, Nyberg G, Martensson E, Thomas SHL "Concentration-related pharmacodynamic effects of thioridazine and its metabolites in humans." Clin Pharmacol Ther 60 (1996): 543-53
  11. Carrillo JA, Ramos SI, Herraiz AG, Llerena A, Agundez JAG, Berecz R, Duran M, Benitez J "Pharmacokinetic interaction of fluvoxamine and thioridazine in schizophrenic patients." J Clin Psychopharmacol 19 (1999): 494-9
  12. Glassman AH, Bigger JT Jr "Antipsychotic drugs: prolonged QTc interval, torsade de pointes, and sudden death." Am J Psychiatry 158 (2001): 1774-82
  13. "Product Information. Varubi (rolapitant)." Tesaro Inc. (2015):
  14. "Product Information. Thioridazine Hydrochloride (thioridazine)." Mylan Institutional (formerly UDL Laboratories) (2019):
View all 14 references

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

haloperidol food

Applies to: Haldol (haloperidol)

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of CNS-active agents. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving CNS-active agents should be warned of this interaction and advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

References

  1. Warrington SJ, Ankier SI, Turner P "Evaluation of possible interactions between ethanol and trazodone or amitriptyline." Neuropsychobiology 15 (1986): 31-7
  2. Gilman AG, eds., Nies AS, Rall TW, Taylor P "Goodman and Gilman's the Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics." New York, NY: Pergamon Press Inc. (1990):
  3. "Product Information. Fycompa (perampanel)." Eisai Inc (2012):
  4. "Product Information. Rexulti (brexpiprazole)." Otsuka American Pharmaceuticals Inc (2015):
View all 4 references

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Moderate

thioridazine food

Applies to: Mellaril (thioridazine)

GENERALLY AVOID: Concurrent use of ethanol and phenothiazines may result in additive CNS depression and psychomotor impairment. Also, ethanol may precipitate dystonic reactions in patients who are taking phenothiazines. The two drugs probably act on different sites in the brain, although the exact mechanism of the interaction is not known.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be advised to avoid alcohol during phenothiazine therapy.

References

  1. Lutz EG "Neuroleptic-induced akathisia and dystonia triggered by alcohol." JAMA 236 (1976): 2422-3
  2. Freed E "Alcohol-triggered-neuroleptic-induced tremor, rigidity and dystonia." Med J Aust 2 (1981): 44-5

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Therapeutic duplication warnings

Therapeutic duplication is the use of more than one medicine from the same drug category or therapeutic class to treat the same condition. This can be intentional in cases where drugs with similar actions are used together for demonstrated therapeutic benefit. It can also be unintentional in cases where a patient has been treated by more than one doctor, or had prescriptions filled at more than one pharmacy, and can have potentially adverse consequences.

Duplication

Antipsychotics

Therapeutic duplication

The recommended maximum number of medicines in the 'antipsychotics' category to be taken concurrently is usually one. Your list includes two medicines belonging to the 'antipsychotics' category:

  • Haldol (haloperidol)
  • Mellaril (thioridazine)

Note: In certain circumstances, the benefits of taking this combination of drugs may outweigh any risks. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or dosage.

See also

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Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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