Skip to main content

Drug Interactions between dofetilide and quinidine

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

Edit list (add/remove drugs)

Interactions between your drugs

Major

quiNIDine dofetilide

Applies to: quinidine and dofetilide

GENERALLY AVOID: Dofetilide should not be used with Class I or other Class III antiarrhythmic agents due to the potential for additive effects on myocardial refractoriness. Many of these agents, including dofetilide, can also cause prolongation of the QT interval, thus concomitant use may increase the risk of ventricular arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia and torsade de pointes.

MANAGEMENT: Class I (e.g., disopyramide, quinidine, procainamide) and class III (e.g., amiodarone, ibutilide, sotalol) antiarrhythmic agents should be withheld for at least 3 half-lives before administering dofetilide. In the case of amiodarone with its unpredictable pharmacokinetics, dofetilide should not be initiated until serum amiodarone levels are below 0.3 mcg/mL or amiodarone has been withdrawn for at least three months.

References (1)
  1. (2001) "Product Information. Tikosyn (dofetilide)." Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

quiNIDine food

Applies to: quinidine

GENERALLY AVOID: In a small, randomized, crossover study, the administration of quinidine with grapefruit juice (compared to water) to healthy volunteers significantly prolonged the time to reach peak plasma quinidine concentrations and decreased the plasma concentrations of its major metabolite, 3-hydroxyquinidine. These changes were associated pharmacodynamically with both a delay and a reduction in the maximal effect on QTc interval. The proposed mechanism is delay of gastric emptying as well as inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall induced by certain compounds present in grapefruits.

MANAGEMENT: Given the drug's narrow therapeutic index, patients receiving quinidine therapy should avoid the consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice to prevent any undue fluctuations in plasma drug levels.

References (4)
  1. Ace LN, Jaffe JM, Kunka RL (1983) "Effect of food and an antacid on quinidine bioavailability." Biopharm Drug Dispos, 4, p. 183-90
  2. Min DI, Ku YM, Geraets DR, Lee HC (1996) "Effect of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of quinidine in healthy volunteers." J Clin Pharmacol, 36, p. 469-76
  3. Ha HR, Chen J, Leuenberger PM, Freiburghaus AU, Follah F (1995) "In vitro inhibition of midazolam and quinidine metabolism by flavonoids." Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 48, p. 367-71
  4. Bailey DG, Dresser GR, Kreeft JH, Munoz C, Freeman DJ, Bend JR (2000) "Grapefruit-felodipine interaction: Effect of unprocessed fruit and probable active ingredients." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 68, p. 468-77
Minor

dofetilide food

Applies to: dofetilide

In vitro data suggest that grapefruit juice may inhibit the CYP450 3A4 first-pass metabolism of dofetilide. Decreased first-pass metabolism may increase dofetilide concentrations and increase the risk of QT interval prolongation and arrhythmias. The clinical significance is unknown, since dofetilide has a high oral bioavailability and a low affinity for CYP450 3A4. The manufacturer recommends caution.

References (1)
  1. (2001) "Product Information. Tikosyn (dofetilide)." Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals

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

Antiarrhythmics

Therapeutic duplication

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

  • dofetilide
  • quinidine

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

Report options

Loading...
QR code containing a link to this page

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.

Medical Disclaimer