Drugs to be avoided for use in patients with diagnosed or suspected congenital long QT syndrome. (Drugs on our category-of-risk lists are also included here.)

Generic Name / Brand Name / Class/Clinical Use / Comments
Albuterol / Proventil®;Ventolin® / ß2-receptor agonist / Asthma
Alfuzosin / Uroxatral® / Alpha1-blocker / Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Amantadine / Symmetrel® / Dopaminergic/Anti-viral / Anti-infective/ Parkinson's Disease
Amiodarone / Cordarone® / Anti-arrhythmic / abnormal heart rhythm / Females>Males,TdP risk regarded as low
Amiodarone / Pacerone® / Anti-arrhythmic / abnormal heart rhythm / Females>Males,TdP risk regarded as low
Amitriptyline / Elavil® / Tricyclic Antidepressant / depression / Risk of TdP with overdosage
Amphetamine / Dexedrine® / CNS stimulant / ADHD / This includes dextroamphetamine and amphetamine / dextroamphetamine combinations.
Amphetamine / Adderall® / CNS stimulant / ADHD / This includes dextroamphetamine and amphetamine / dextroamphetamine combinations.
Arsenic trioxide / Trisenox® / Anti-cancer / Leukemia
Astemizole / Hismanal® / Antihistamine / Allergic rhinitis / No Longer available in U.S.
Atazanavir / Reyataz® / Protease inhibitor / HIV
Atomoxetine / Strattera® / norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor / ADHD
Azithromycin / Zithromax® / Antibiotic / bacterial infection / Rare reports
Bepridil / Vascor® / Anti-anginal / heart pain / Females>Males
Chloral hydrate / Noctec® / Sedative / sedation/ insomnia
Chloroquine / Aralen® / Anti-malarial / malaria infection
Chlorpromazine / Thorazine® / Anti-psychotic/ Anti-emetic / schizophrenia/ nausea
Ciprofloxacin / Cipro® / Antibiotic / bacterial infection / Drug metabolism inhibitor- Risk for drug interactions
Cisapride / Propulsid® / GI stimulant / heartburn / No longer available in the U.S.; available in Mexico
Citalopram / Celexa® / Anti-depressant / depression
Clarithromycin / Biaxin® / Antibiotic / bacterial infection
Clomipramine / Anafranil® / Tricyclic Antidepressant / depression
Clozapine / Clozaril® / Anti-psychotic / schizophrenia
Cocaine / Cocaine / Local anesthetic / / Cardiac stimulant
Desipramine / Pertofrane® / Tricyclic Antidepressant / depression / Risk of TdP with overdosage
Dexmethylphenidate / Focalin® / CNS stimulant / ADHD
Diphenhydramine / Benadryl® / Antihistamine / Allergic rhinitis, insomnia / Risk of QT increase/TdP in overdosages
Diphenhydramine / Nytol® / Antihistamine / Allergic rhinitis, insomnia / Risk of QT increase/TdP in overdosages
Disopyramide / Norpace® / Anti-arrhythmic / abnormal heart rhythm / Females>Males
Dobutamine / Dobutrex® / Catecholamine / heart failure and shock
Dofetilide / Tikosyn® / Anti-arrhythmic / abnormal heart rhythm
Dolasetron / Anzemet® / Anti-nausea / nausea, vomiting
Domperidone / Motilium® / Anti-nausea / nausea / Not available in the U.S.
Dopamine / Intropine® / Inotropic agent / heart failure; hypotension; shock
Doxepin / Sinequan® / Tricyclic Antidepressant / depression
Dronedarone / Multaq® / Anti-arrhythmic / Atrial Fibrillation
Droperidol / Inapsine® / Sedative;Anti-nausea / anesthesia adjunct, nausea
Ephedrine / Broncholate® / Bronchodilator, decongestant / Allergies, sinusitis, asthma
Ephedrine / Rynatuss® / Bronchodilator, decongestant / Allergies, sinusitis, asthma
Epinephrine / Bronkaid® / catecholamine, vasoconstrictor / anaphylaxis, allergic reactions / Cardiac stimulant
Epinephrine / Primatene® / catecholamine, vasoconstrictor / anaphylaxis, allergic reactions / Cardiac stimulant
Eribulin / Halaven® / Anti-cancer / metastatic breast neoplasias
Erythromycin / E.E.S.® / Antibiotic;GI stimulant / bacterial infection; increase GI motility / Females>Males
Erythromycin / Erythrocin® / Antibiotic;GI stimulant / bacterial infection; increase GI motility / Females>Males
Escitalopram / Cipralex® / Anti-depressant / Major depression/ Anxiety disorders
Escitalopram / Lexapro® / Anti-depressant / Major depression/ Anxiety disorders
Famotidine / Pepcid® / H2-receptor antagonist / Peptic ulcer/ GERD
Felbamate / Felbatrol® / Anti-convulsant / seizure
Fenfluramine / Pondimin® / Appetite suppressant / dieting, weight loss
Fingolimod / Gilenya® / Immunosuppressant / Multiple Sclerosis
Flecainide / Tambocor® / Anti-arrhythmic / abnormal heart rhythm
Fluconazole / Diflucan® / Anti-fungal / fungal infection / Drug metabolism inhibitor- Risk for drug interactions
Fluoxetine / Prozac® / Anti-depressant / depression
Fluoxetine / Sarafem® / Anti-depressant / depression
Foscarnet / Foscavir® / Anti-viral / HIV infection
Fosphenytoin / Cerebyx® / Anti-convulsant / seizure
Galantamine / Reminyl® / Cholinesterase inhibitor / Dementia, Alzheimer's
Gatifloxacin / Tequin® / Antibiotic / bacterial infection
Gemifloxacin / Factive® / Antibiotic / bacterial infection
Granisetron / Kytril® / Anti-nausea / nausea and vomiting
Halofantrine / Halfan® / Anti-malarial / malaria infection / Females>Males
Haloperidol / Haldol® / Anti-psychotic / schizophrenia, agitation / When given intravenously or at higher-than- recommended doses, risk of sudden death, QT prolongation and torsades increases.
Ibutilide / Corvert® / Anti-arrhythmic / abnormal heart rhythm / Females>Males
Imipramine / Norfranil® / Tricyclic Antidepressant / depression / Risk of TdP in overdosage
Indapamide / Lozol® / Diuretic / stimulate urine & salt loss
Isoproterenol / Isupres® / Catecholamine / allergic reaction
Isoproterenol / Medihaler-Iso® / Catecholamine / allergic reaction
Isradipine / Dynacirc® / Anti-hypertensive / high blood pressure
Itraconazole / Sporanox® / Anti-fungal / fungal infection / Drug metabolism inhibitor- Risk for drug interactions
Ketoconazole / Nizoral® / Anti-fungal / fungal infection / Drug metabolism inhibitor
Lapatinib / Tykerb® / Anti-cancer / breast cancer, metastatic
Lapatinib / Tyverb® / Anti-cancer / breast cancer, metastatic
Levalbuterol / Xopenex® / Bronchodilator / asthma
Levofloxacin / Levaquin® / Antibiotic / bacterial infection
Levomethadyl / Orlaam® / Opiate agonist / pain control, narcotic dependence / Not available in the U.S.
Lisdexamfetamine / Vyvanse® / CNS stimulant / ADHD
Lithium / Eskalith® / Anti-mania / bipolar disorder
Lithium / Lithobid® / Anti-mania / bipolar disorder
Mesoridazine / Serentil® / Anti-psychotic / schizophrenia
Metaproterenol / Alupent® / Bronchodilator / asthma
Metaproterenol / Metaprel® / Bronchodilator / asthma
Methadone / Dolophine® / Opiate agonist / pain control, narcotic dependence / Females>Males
Methadone / Methadose® / Opiate agonist / pain control, narcotic dependence / Females>Males
Methylphenidate / Ritalin® / CNS stimulant / ADHD
Methylphenidate / Concerta® / CNS stimulant / ADHD
Midodrine / ProAmatine® / Vasoconstrictor / low blood pressure, fainting
Moexipril/HCTZ / Uniretic® / Anti-hypertensive / high blood pressure
Moxifloxacin / Avelox® / Antibiotic / bacterial infection
Nicardipine / Cardene® / Anti-hypertensive / high blood pressure
Nilotinib / Tasigna® / Anti-cancer / Leukemia
Norepinephrine / Levophed® / Vasconstrictor, Inotrope / shock, low blood pressure
Nortriptyline / Pamelor® / Tricyclic Antidepressant / depression
Octreotide / Sandostatin® / Endocrine / acromegaly, carcinoid diarrhea
Ofloxacin / Floxin® / Antibiotic / bacterial infection
Ondansetron / Zofran® / Anti-emetic / nausea and vomiting
Oxytocin / Pitocin® / Oxytocic / Labor stimulation
Paliperidone / Invega® / Antipsychotic, atypical / Schizophrenia
Paroxetine / Paxil® / Anti-depressant / depression
Pentamidine / NebuPent® / Anti-infective / pneumocystis pneumonia / Females>Males
Pentamidine / Pentam® / Anti-infective / pneumocystis pneumonia / Females>Males
Perflutren lipid microspheres / Definity® / Imaging contrast agent / Echocardiography
Phentermine / Fastin® / Appetite suppressant / dieting, weight loss
Phentermine / Adipex® / Appetite suppressant / dieting, weight loss
Phenylephrine / Neosynephrine® / Vasoconstrictor, decongestant / low blood pressure, allergies, sinusitis, asthma
Phenylpropanolamine / Acutrim® / Decongestant / allergies, sinusitis, asthma / No longer available in the U.S.
Phenylpropanolamine / Dexatrim® / Decongestant / allergies, sinusitis, asthma / No longer available in the U.S.
Pimozide / Orap® / Anti-psychotic / Tourette's tics / Females>Males
Probucol / Lorelco® / Antilipemic / Hypercholesterolemia / No longer available in U.S.
Procainamide / Pronestyl® / Anti-arrhythmic / abnormal heart rhythm
Procainamide / Procan® / Anti-arrhythmic / abnormal heart rhythm
Protriptyline / Vivactil® / Tricyclic Antidepressant / depression
Pseudoephedrine / PediaCare® / Decongestant / allergies, sinusitis, asthma
Pseudoephedrine / Sudafed® / Decongestant / allergies, sinusitis, asthma
Quetiapine / Seroquel® / Anti-psychotic / schizophrenia
Quinidine / Quinaglute® / Anti-arrhythmic / abnormal heart rhythm / Females>Males
Quinidine / Cardioquin® / Anti-arrhythmic / abnormal heart rhythm / Females>Males
Ranolazine / Ranexa® / Anti-anginal / chronic angina
Risperidone / Risperdal® / Anti-psychotic / schizophrenia
Ritodrine / Yutopar® / Uterine relaxant / prevent premature labor
Ritonavir / Norvir® / Protease inhibitor / HIV
Roxithromycin* / Rulide® / Antibiotic / bacterial infection / *not available in the United States
Salmeterol / Serevent® / Sympathomimetic / asthma, COPD
Sertindole / Serdolect® / Antipsychotic, atypical / Anxiety, Schizophrenia
Sertindole / Serlect® / Antipsychotic, atypical / Anxiety, Schizophrenia
Sertraline / Zoloft® / Anti-depressant / depression
Sibutramine / Meridia® / Appetitie suppressant / dieting, weight loss
Solifenacin / VESIcare® / muscarinic receptor anatagonist / treatment of overactive bladder
Sotalol / Betapace® / Anti-arrhythmic / abnormal heart rhythm / Females>Males
Sparfloxacin / Zagam® / Antibiotic / bacterial infection
Sunitinib / Sutent® / Anti-cancer / RCC, GIST
Tacrolimus / Prograf® / Immunosuppressant / Immune suppression
Tamoxifen / Nolvadex® / Anti-cancer / breast cancer
Telithromycin / Ketek® / Antibiotic / bacterial infection
Terbutaline / Brethine® / Bronchodilator / asthma
Terfenadine / Seldane® / Antihistamine / Allergic rhinitis / No longer available in U.S.
Thioridazine / Mellaril® / Anti-psychotic / schizophrenia
Tizanidine / Zanaflex® / Muscle relaxant /
Tolterodine / Detrol® / Bladder Antispasmodic /
Tolterodine / Detrol LA® / Bladder Antispasmodic /
Trazodone / Desyrel® / Anti-depressant / Depression, insomnia
Trimethoprim-Sulfa / Bactrim® / Antibiotic / bacterial infection
Trimethoprim-Sulfa / Sulfa® / Antibiotic / bacterial infection
Trimipramine / Surmontil® / Tricyclic Antidepressant / depression
Vandetanib / Caprelsa® / Anti-cancer / Thyroid cancer
Vardenafil / Levitra® / phosphodiesterase inhibitor / vasodilator
Venlafaxine / Effexor® / Anti-depressant / depression
Voriconazole / VFend® / Anti-fungal / anti-fungal
Ziprasidone / Geodon® / Anti-psychotic / schizophrenia

Revised: 03/02/2012

Substantial evidence supports the conclusion that these drugs prolong the QT interval and have a risk of TdP when used as directed in labeling.

Generic Name / Brand Name / Class/Clinical Use / Comments
Amiodarone / Cordarone® / Anti-arrhythmic / abnormal heart rhythm / Females>Males,TdP risk regarded as low
Amiodarone / Pacerone® / Anti-arrhythmic / abnormal heart rhythm / Females>Males,TdP risk regarded as low
Arsenic trioxide / Trisenox® / Anti-cancer / Leukemia
Astemizole / Hismanal® / Antihistamine / Allergic rhinitis / No Longer available in U.S.
Bepridil / Vascor® / Anti-anginal / heart pain / Females>Males
Chloroquine / Aralen® / Anti-malarial / malaria infection
Chlorpromazine / Thorazine® / Anti-psychotic/ Anti-emetic / schizophrenia/ nausea
Cisapride / Propulsid® / GI stimulant / heartburn / No longer available in the U.S.; available in Mexico
Citalopram / Celexa® / Anti-depressant / depression
Clarithromycin / Biaxin® / Antibiotic / bacterial infection
Disopyramide / Norpace® / Anti-arrhythmic / abnormal heart rhythm / Females>Males
Dofetilide / Tikosyn® / Anti-arrhythmic / abnormal heart rhythm
Domperidone / Motilium® / Anti-nausea / nausea / Not available in the U.S.
Droperidol / Inapsine® / Sedative;Anti-nausea / anesthesia adjunct, nausea
Erythromycin / E.E.S.® / Antibiotic;GI stimulant / bacterial infection; increase GI motility / Females>Males
Erythromycin / Erythrocin® / Antibiotic;GI stimulant / bacterial infection; increase GI motility / Females>Males
Flecainide / Tambocor® / Anti-arrhythmic / abnormal heart rhythm
Halofantrine / Halfan® / Anti-malarial / malaria infection / Females>Males
Haloperidol / Haldol® / Anti-psychotic / schizophrenia, agitation / When given intravenously or at higher-than- recommended doses, risk of sudden death, QT prolongation and torsades increases.
Ibutilide / Corvert® / Anti-arrhythmic / abnormal heart rhythm / Females>Males
Levomethadyl / Orlaam® / Opiate agonist / pain control, narcotic dependence / Not available in the U.S.
Mesoridazine / Serentil® / Anti-psychotic / schizophrenia
Methadone / Dolophine® / Opiate agonist / pain control, narcotic dependence / Females>Males
Methadone / Methadose® / Opiate agonist / pain control, narcotic dependence / Females>Males
Moxifloxacin / Avelox® / Antibiotic / bacterial infection
Pentamidine / NebuPent® / Anti-infective / pneumocystis pneumonia / Females>Males
Pentamidine / Pentam® / Anti-infective / pneumocystis pneumonia / Females>Males
Pimozide / Orap® / Anti-psychotic / Tourette's tics / Females>Males
Probucol / Lorelco® / Antilipemic / Hypercholesterolemia / No longer available in U.S.
Procainamide / Pronestyl® / Anti-arrhythmic / abnormal heart rhythm
Procainamide / Procan® / Anti-arrhythmic / abnormal heart rhythm
Quinidine / Quinaglute® / Anti-arrhythmic / abnormal heart rhythm / Females>Males
Quinidine / Cardioquin® / Anti-arrhythmic / abnormal heart rhythm / Females>Males
Sotalol / Betapace® / Anti-arrhythmic / abnormal heart rhythm / Females>Males
Sparfloxacin / Zagam® / Antibiotic / bacterial infection
Terfenadine / Seldane® / Antihistamine / Allergic rhinitis / No longer available in U.S.
Thioridazine / Mellaril® / Anti-psychotic / schizophrenia
Vandetanib / Caprelsa® / Anti-cancer / Thyroid cancer

Revised: 6/6/2011

Substantial evidence supports the conclusion that these drugs cause QT prolongation but there is insufficient evidence that they, when used as directed in labeling, have a risk of causing TdP.

Generic Name / Brand Name / Class/Clinical Use / Comments
Alfuzosin / Uroxatral® / Alpha1-blocker / Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Amantadine / Symmetrel® / Dopaminergic/Anti-viral / Anti-infective/ Parkinson's Disease
Atazanavir / Reyataz® / Protease inhibitor / HIV
Azithromycin / Zithromax® / Antibiotic / bacterial infection / Rare reports
Chloral hydrate / Noctec® / Sedative / sedation/ insomnia
Clozapine / Clozaril® / Anti-psychotic / schizophrenia
Dolasetron / Anzemet® / Anti-nausea / nausea, vomiting
Dronedarone / Multaq® / Anti-arrhythmic / Atrial Fibrillation
Eribulin / Halaven® / Anti-cancer / metastatic breast neoplasias
Escitalopram / Cipralex® / Anti-depressant / Major depression/ Anxiety disorders
Escitalopram / Lexapro® / Anti-depressant / Major depression/ Anxiety disorders
Famotidine / Pepcid® / H2-receptor antagonist / Peptic ulcer/ GERD
Felbamate / Felbatrol® / Anti-convulsant / seizure
Fingolimod / Gilenya® / Immunosuppressant / Multiple Sclerosis
Foscarnet / Foscavir® / Anti-viral / HIV infection
Fosphenytoin / Cerebyx® / Anti-convulsant / seizure
Gatifloxacin / Tequin® / Antibiotic / bacterial infection
Gemifloxacin / Factive® / Antibiotic / bacterial infection
Granisetron / Kytril® / Anti-nausea / nausea and vomiting
Indapamide / Lozol® / Diuretic / stimulate urine & salt loss
Isradipine / Dynacirc® / Anti-hypertensive / high blood pressure
Lapatinib / Tykerb® / Anti-cancer / breast cancer, metastatic
Lapatinib / Tyverb® / Anti-cancer / breast cancer, metastatic
Levofloxacin / Levaquin® / Antibiotic / bacterial infection
Lithium / Lithobid® / Anti-mania / bipolar disorder
Lithium / Eskalith® / Anti-mania / bipolar disorder
Moexipril/HCTZ / Uniretic® / Anti-hypertensive / high blood pressure
Nicardipine / Cardene® / Anti-hypertensive / high blood pressure
Nilotinib / Tasigna® / Anti-cancer / Leukemia
Octreotide / Sandostatin® / Endocrine / acromegaly, carcinoid diarrhea
Ofloxacin / Floxin® / Antibiotic / bacterial infection
Ondansetron / Zofran® / Anti-emetic / nausea and vomiting
Oxytocin / Pitocin® / Oxytocic / Labor stimulation
Paliperidone / Invega® / Antipsychotic, atypical / Schizophrenia
Perflutren lipid microspheres / Definity® / Imaging contrast agent / Echocardiography
Quetiapine / Seroquel® / Anti-psychotic / schizophrenia
Ranolazine / Ranexa® / Anti-anginal / chronic angina
Risperidone / Risperdal® / Anti-psychotic / schizophrenia
Roxithromycin* / Rulide® / Antibiotic / bacterial infection / *not available in the United States
Sertindole / Serlect® / Antipsychotic, atypical / Anxiety, Schizophrenia
Sertindole / Serdolect® / Antipsychotic, atypical / Anxiety, Schizophrenia
Sunitinib / Sutent® / Anti-cancer / RCC, GIST
Tacrolimus / Prograf® / Immunosuppressant / Immune suppression
Tamoxifen / Nolvadex® / Anti-cancer / breast cancer
Telithromycin / Ketek® / Antibiotic / bacterial infection
Tizanidine / Zanaflex® / Muscle relaxant /
Vardenafil / Levitra® / phosphodiesterase inhibitor / vasodilator
Venlafaxine / Effexor® / Anti-depressant / depression
Voriconazole / VFend® / Anti-fungal / anti-fungal
Ziprasidone / Geodon® / Anti-psychotic / schizophrenia

Revised: 03/02/2012