Disopyramide and Zithromax (Azithromycin Oral Suspension)

In the database of official manuals used in the service creation an interaction registered by statistical results of studies was found, which can either lead to negative consequences for the patient health or strengthen a mutual positive effect. A doctor should be consulted to address the issue of joint drug administration.

Talk to your doctor before using disopyramide together with azithromycin. Combining these medications can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that is potentially life-threatening. In addition, disopyramide blood levels may be increased by medications like azithromycin, which may make you more likely to experience side effects such as dry mouth, abdominal pain, constipation, blurred vision, difficulty urinating, low blood sugar, low blood pressure, and slow heart rate. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or special monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, shortness of breath, or fast or pounding heartbeats during treatment with disopyramide. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

GENERALLY AVOID: Disopyramide can cause dose-related prolongation of the QT interval. Coadministration with other agents that can prolong the QT interval such as macrolide antibiotics may result in additive effects and increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including 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). Some macrolides such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, and troleandomycin are also potent inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 and may significantly inhibit the metabolism of disopyramide, which is thought to be a substrate of the isoenzyme. Hypoglycemic coma, QT prolongation, torsade de pointes, and ventricular fibrillation have been reported in patients treated with disopyramide following the addition of clarithromycin, sometimes in association with elevated serum levels of disopyramide. Similarly, there have been cases of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia including torsade de pointes in association with significantly prolonged QTc intervals and/or elevated disopyramide levels during concomitant administration of erythromycin, both intravenous and oral. Although azithromycin is not thought to be an inhibitor of CYP450 3A4, elevated disopyramide levels and ventricular tachycardia requiring cardioversion occurred in a patient receiving disopyramide after she started on azithromycin less than 2 weeks earlier.

MANAGEMENT: The concurrent use of disopyramide with other medications that can prolong the QT interval should generally be avoided unless benefits are anticipated to outweigh the risks. Caution and clinical monitoring are recommended if these agents are prescribed together, especially to patients with underlying risk factors. Patients should be advised to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitations, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, or syncope.

Disopyramide

Generic Name: disopyramide

Brand name: Norpace, Norpace CR

Synonyms: n.a.

What is Disopyramide?

Zithromax (Azithromycin Oral Suspension)

Generic Name: azithromycin

Brand name: Zithromax, Zmax, AzaSite, Azithromycin 3 Day Dose Pack, Azithromycin 5 Day Dose Pack, Zithromax Tri-Pak, Zithromax Z-Pak, Zithromax IV

Synonyms: Zithromax

What is Zithromax (Azithromycin Oral Suspension)?