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Drug Interactions between Mellaril and pindolol

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Major

pindolol thioridazine

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

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

pindolol food

Applies to: pindolol

MONITOR: Many psychotherapeutic and CNS-active agents (e.g., anxiolytics, sedatives, hypnotics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, opioids, alcohol, muscle relaxants) exhibit hypotensive effects, especially during initiation of therapy and dose escalation. Coadministration with antihypertensives and other hypotensive agents, in particular vasodilators and alpha-blockers, may result in additive effects on blood pressure and orthostasis.

MANAGEMENT: Caution and close monitoring for development of hypotension is advised during coadministration of these agents. Some authorities recommend avoiding alcohol in patients receiving vasodilating antihypertensive drugs. Patients should be advised to avoid rising abruptly from a sitting or recumbent position and to notify their physician if they experience dizziness, lightheadedness, syncope, orthostasis, or tachycardia.

References

  1. Sternbach H (1991) "Fluoxetine-associated potentiation of calcium-channel blockers." J Clin Psychopharmacol, 11, p. 390-1
  2. Shook TL, Kirshenbaum JM, Hundley RF, Shorey JM, Lamas GA (1984) "Ethanol intoxication complicating intravenous nitroglycerin therapy." Ann Intern Med, 101, p. 498-9
  3. Feder R (1991) "Bradycardia and syncope induced by fluoxetine." J Clin Psychiatry, 52, p. 139
  4. Ellison JM, Milofsky JE, Ely E (1990) "Fluoxetine-induced bradycardia and syncope in two patients." J Clin Psychiatry, 51, p. 385-6
  5. Rodriguez de la Torre B, Dreher J, Malevany I, et al. (2001) "Serum levels and cardiovascular effects of tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in depressed patients." Ther Drug Monit, 23, p. 435-40
  6. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
  7. Pacher P, Kecskemeti V (2004) "Cardiovascular side effects of new antidepressants and antipsychotics: new drugs, old concerns?" Curr Pharm Des, 10, p. 2463-75
  8. Andrews C, Pinner G (1998) "Postural hypotension induced by paroxetine." BMJ, 316, p. 595
View all 8 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 (1976) "Neuroleptic-induced akathisia and dystonia triggered by alcohol." JAMA, 236, p. 2422-3
  2. Freed E (1981) "Alcohol-triggered-neuroleptic-induced tremor, rigidity and dystonia." Med J Aust, 2, p. 44-5

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Moderate

pindolol food

Applies to: pindolol

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Concurrent administration with calcium salts may decrease the oral bioavailability of atenolol and possibly other beta-blockers. The exact mechanism of interaction is unknown. In six healthy subjects, calcium 500 mg (as lactate, carbonate, and gluconate) reduced the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of atenolol (100 mg) by 51% and 32%, respectively. The elimination half-life increased by 44%. Twelve hours after the combination, beta-blocking activity (as indicated by inhibition of exercise tachycardia) was reduced compared to that with atenolol alone. However, during a 4-week treatment in six hypertensive patients, there was no difference in blood pressure values between treatments. The investigators suggest that prolongation of the elimination half-life induced by calcium coadministration may have led to atenolol cumulation during long-term dosing, which compensated for the reduced bioavailability.

MANAGEMENT: It may help to separate the administration times of beta-blockers and calcium products by at least 2 hours. Patients should be monitored for potentially diminished beta-blocking effects following the addition of calcium therapy.

References

  1. Kirch W, Schafer-Korting M, Axthelm T, Kohler H, Mutschler E (1981) "Interaction of atenolol with furosemide and calcium and aluminum salts." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 30, p. 429-35

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Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.

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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

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