Aripiprazole Injection and Pimozide: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Jul 11, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Pimozide
No brand names on recordAripiprazole Injection
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
Increased risk of CNS depression and an increased risk of QT interval prolongation
Interaction Deep Dive
Coadministration of pimozide and CNS depressants that prolong QT is contraindicated as it may increase risk of CNS depression and may also increase QT interval prolongation and serious ventricular arrhythmias1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Additive CNS depression; additive QT interval prolongation
Literature reports
3 reports — tap to read
a) In a controlled study, a single dose of pimozide 2 mg coadministered with racemic citalopram 40 mg given once daily for 11 days was associated with a mean increase in QTc values of approximately 10 msec compared to pimozide given alone. Racemic citalopram did not alter the mean AUC or Cmax of pimozide. The mechanism of this pharmacodynamic interaction is not known 1.
b) In experimental studies of conditions other than Tourette's Disorder, sudden, unexpected deaths have occurred in patients receiving pimozide in the range of 1 mg per kg. One possible mechanism for such deaths is prolongation of the QT interval predisposing patients to ventricular arrhythmia. Perform an electrocardiogram before pimozide treatment is initiated and periodically thereafter, especially during the period of dose adjustment 1.
c) Zotepine can prolong the QTc interval 2.
Common questions
Can I take Aripiprazole Injection and Pimozide together?
Increased risk of CNS depression and an increased risk of QT interval prolongation Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Aripiprazole Injection and Pimozide interaction?
It is rated contraindicated. These should generally not be used together.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Aripiprazole Injection or Pimozide need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (2)
- Product Information: Pimozide oral tablet, pimozide oral tablet. Endo USA, Inc (per DailyMed), Malvern, PA, 2017. DailyMed
- Sweetman S (Ed): Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference. London: Pharmaceutical Press. Electronic version, MICROMEDEX, Greenwood Village, Colorado, Edition expires 06/2004.
Keep reading about Pimozide
Keep reading about Aripiprazole Injection
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