Monday, October 20, 2008

Psychiatric drugs and QT interval prolongation

When it comes to the risk of QT prolongation and Torsade de pointes, older psychiatric drugs are NOT better. According to this review in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy (free full text via Medscape):

Antipsychotics cause Q-Tc interval prolongation at a higher rate than do antidepressants, and the typical antipsychotics thioridazine, pimozide, and i.v. haloperidol all have the highest potential for Q-Tc interval prolongation. Tricyclic antidepressants have a higher rate of Q-Tc interval prolongation than do SSRIs, particularly at higher concentrations and in overdose situations.

Safety monitoring recommendations are given.

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