Drug Interactions between Coartem and thioridazine

CONTRAINDICATED: Thioridazine can cause dose-related prolongation of the QT interval. Theoretically, coadministration with other agents that can prolong the QT interval may result in additive effects and increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsade de pointes and sudden death. Thioridazine treatment alone has been associated with several reported cases of torsade de pointes and sudden death. In general, the risk of an individual agent or a combination of agents causing ventricular arrhythmia in association with QT prolongation is largely unpredictable but may be increased by certain underlying risk factors such as congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac disease, and electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia). The extent of drug-induced QT prolongation is dependent on the particular drug(s) involved and dosage(s) of the drug(s). In addition, certain agents with anticholinergic properties (e.g., sedating antihistamines; antispasmodics; neuroleptics; phenothiazines; skeletal muscle relaxants; tricyclic antidepressants; disopyramide) may have additive parasympatholytic and central nervous system-depressant effects when used in combination with thioridazine. Excessive parasympatholytic effects may include paralytic ileus, hyperthermia, mydriasis, blurred vision, tachycardia, urinary retention, psychosis, and seizures.

MANAGEMENT: Coadministration of thioridazine with other drugs that can prolong the QT interval is considered contraindicated.

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.