FAQs For Consumers
To view frequently asked questions oriented toward health care professionals and researchers, click here.
For definitions of terms used here and throughout our site, visit our glossary.
How should I interpret the "Risk of torsades de pointes" list? If you are taking any of these drugs, you should be aware of the possibility that TdP may occur and communicate closely with your physician. If you seek healthcare from several different doctors or professionals other than the one who prescribed you a specific drug on this list, we suggest you let him/her know all other the drugs, hormones or dietary supplements you are taking, because medicines can interact in ways that are dangerous.
This list includes drugs that are generally accepted by the www.QTdrugs.org Advisory Board of the Arizona CERT to have a risk of causing torsades de pointes. This risk does not mean that all patients who take these drugs will develop torsades de pointes. Keep in mind that the risk of developing torsades de pointes is different for each drug.
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How should I interpret the "Possible risk for torsades de pointes" list? If you are taking any of these drugs, you should be closely monitored by your doctor (get ECGs more often) for evidence of this adverse drug reaction and you should be aware of a possible risk. If you seek healthcare from several different doctors or professionals other than the one who prescribed you a specific drug on this list, we suggest you let him/her know all other the drugs, hormones or dietary supplements you are taking.
This list includes drugs that prolong the QT interval and have been associated to torsades de pointes, but at this time lack substantial evidence for being the cause of torsades de pointes. This means that these drugs are suspected of causing torsades de pointes and research is still being conducted in order to determine their risk.
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Are drugs on the "Conditional risk for torsades de pointes" list safe? You should remember that this statement applies to recommended dosages. If you are taking any of these drugs, you should use them carefully and follow every instruction from your health care provider. If you seek healthcare from several different doctors or professionals other than the one who prescribed you a specific drug on this list, we suggest you let him/her know all other the drugs, hormones or dietary supplements you are taking, because drug interactions can affect this risk.
This list includes drugs that carry a risk of torsades de pointes and/or QT prolongation under certain conditions, such as patients with congenital long QT syndrome, drug overdose or co-administration of interacting drugs. In the absence of these conditions, these drugs have a lower risk of causing QT prolongation or torsades de pointes.
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Which drugs should be avoided by someone with Congenital Long QT Syndrome?
Our CLQTS list has drugs that should be avoided in patients with diagnosed or suspected congenital long QT syndrome. However, this does not mean that if a product is not on that list, it is automatically safe. We always recommend that patients with congenital Long QT Syndrome take medications only under the supervision of their physician who knows their medications, their complete history and their current medical condition including congenital long QT syndrome.
Is there an increased risk of developing QT prolongation and torsades de pointes due to interactions between prescription/Over the counter drugs or supplements and foods?
Given the vast number of products available, it is impossible to predict all possible interactions. It's important that you keep an updated record of all the medications, over the counter products and dietary or vitamin supplements that you take. We recommend that before taking over the counter products or supplements, you should always review all of your medications with your primary healthcare provider. We also recommend that you do the same with your pharmacist and ask them to use their computer program to check for interacting medicines, vitamins, hormones, etc.
Are men and women at different risk for QT prolongation and torsade de pointes?
According to the research evidence available, medical scientists have found that women have greater sensitivity to QT prolonging drugs and have a higher frequency of torsades de pointes than men. For more specific information, see comments on gender in each list.
How often are the lists updated?
We constantly review the scientific literature, FDA announcements and analyze case reports. We check for new evidence in an FDA database at least every 90 days, but we may publish an update before that if there is a need to make a change in a list.
How can I be informed about updates and how can I get them?
Click here to sign up to receive email notices when the lists have been updated.
Are the lists available in a printable format? To ensure that you have the most up-to-date information we suggest that you use the hyperlink:
We welcome anyone to use the information on our website in any way they find useful. However, it changes frequently and therefore we do not recommend printing and distributing the information. Nevertheless, some find it useful and the lists can be printed. The lists are dated and include a statement encouraging the user to check the website for the most current information. Please click here to access a printable version of our drug lists.
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www.azcert.org/medical-pros/drug-lists/drug-lists.cfm.
Although the QT Drug List information is free to anyone who visits our site, we do not advise others to publish it separately from Arizona CERT because it could rapidly become outdated. Circulation of out-of-date lists could be potentially very dangerous for some patients. We welcome all interested parties to use or link to the lists on our website.
