Drug General Information (ID: DDIUIOMEZ0)
  Drug Name Azithromycin Drug Info Disopyramide Drug Info
  Drug Type Small molecule Small molecule
  Therapeutic Class Macrolides Antiarrhythmic Agents
  Structure

 Mechanism of Azithromycin-Disopyramide Interaction (Severity Level: Major)
     Increased risk of prolong QT interval Click to Show/Hide Mechanism Graph
Could Not Find 2D Structure
      Drug Name Azithromycin Disopyramide
      Mechanism Prolong QT interval Prolong QT interval
      Key Mechanism Factor 1
Factor Name QT interval
Factor Description Long QT syndrome is a heart signaling disorder that can cause a fast, chaotic heartbeat (arrhythmia). Many people may not exhibit symptoms, and usually the condition is detected during routine medical tests. In others, the most common symptoms include: sudden fainting, palpitations, dizziness, seizures, sudden death.
      Mechanism Description
  • Increased risk of prolong QT interval by the combination of Azithromycin and Disopyramide 

Recommended Action
      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.

References
1 Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information.".
2 Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics.".
3 Choudhury L, Grais IM, Passman RS "Torsades de pointes due to drug interaction between disopyramide and clarithromycin." Heart Dis 1 (1999): 206-7. [PMID: 11720625]
4 Echizen H, Kawasaki H, Chiba K, Tani M, Ishizaki T "A potent inhibitory effect of erythromycin and other macrolide antibiotics on the mono-n-dealkylation metabolism of disopyramide with human liver microsomes." J Pharmacol Exp Ther 264 (1993): 1425-31. [PMID: 8450476]
5 Gitler B, Berger LS, Buffa SD "Torsades de pointes induced by erythromycin." Chest 105 (1994): 368-72. [PMID: 8306730]
6 Hayashi Y, Ikeda U, Hashimoto T, Watanabe T, Mitsuhashi T, Shimada K "Torsades de pointes ventricular tachycardia induced by clarithromycin and disopyramide in the presence of hypokalemia." Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 22(4 Pt 1) (1999): 672-4. [PMID: 10234723]
7 Iida H, Morita T, Suzuki E, Iwasawa K, Toyooka T, Nakajima T "Hypoglycemia induced by interaction between clarithromycin and disopyramide." Jpn Heart J 40 (1999): 91-6. [PMID: 10370402]
8 Lee KL, Jim MH, Tang SC, Tai YT "QT prolongation and torsades de pointes associated with clarithromycin." Am J Med 104 (1998): 395-6. [PMID: 9576415]
9 Paar D, Terjung B, Sauerbruch T "Life-threatening interaction between clarithromycin and disopyramide." Lancet 349 (1997): 326-7. [PMID: 9024381]
10 Product Information. Biaxin (clarithromycin). Abbott Pharmaceutical, Abbott Park, IL.
11 Product Information. Erythrocin Lactobionate (erythromycin). Abbott Pharmaceutical, Abbott Park, IL.
12 Product Information. Zithromax (azithromycin). Pfizer US Pharmaceuticals, New York, NY.
13 Ragosta M, Weihl AC, Rosenfeld LE "Potentially fatal interaction between erythromycin and disopyramide." Am J Med 86 (1989): 465-6. [PMID: 2467560]