Skip to main content
Journal cover image

Frequency of high-risk use of QT-prolonging medications.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Allen LaPointe, NM; Curtis, LH; Chan, KA; Kramer, JM; Lafata, JE; Gurwitz, JH; Raebel, MA; Platt, R
Published in: Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf
June 2006

PURPOSE: Prolongation of the QT interval has been associated with increased risk of torsades de pointes and death. Concurrent use of more than one QT-prolonging drug or a QT-prolonging drug with a drug that alters its pharmacokinetic profile is an important risk factor for adverse outcomes. METHODS: Using a representative sample of 2 million health plan members from 10 health maintenance organizations with pharmacy benefits between January 1999 and July 2001, we identified potential drug interactions involving QT-prolonging medications. Prescription claims overlapping by at least 7 days for either 2 or more QT-prolonging drugs or a QT-prolonging drug with a drug that alters its clearance were considered potential drug interactions. We determined the number of drug interactions overall and the number of these interactions involving patients with other risk factors for torsades de pointes. RESULTS: A total of 48 465 potential drug interactions were identified in 10 415 (4.6%) of the 228 550 patients with at least one prescription for a QT-prolonging drug. Amitriptyline was involved in 37 859 (78.1%) of the drug interactions. Of all potential drug interactions, 43 689 (90.1%) occurred in patients with at least one other risk factor for torsades de pointes, and 1053 (2.2%) were listed as a contraindicated combination in product labeling. CONCLUSION: Potential drug interactions involving currently marketed QT-prolonging drugs occurred in 4.6% of patients who had a prescription for a QT-prolonging medication. The findings suggest several areas for targeted interventions to decrease the potential risk from QT-prolonging medications.

Duke Scholars

Altmetric Attention Stats
Dimensions Citation Stats

Published In

Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf

DOI

ISSN

1053-8569

Publication Date

June 2006

Volume

15

Issue

6

Start / End Page

361 / 368

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Torsades de Pointes
  • Sex Factors
  • Risk Factors
  • Pharmacology & Pharmacy
  • Outpatients
  • Male
  • Long QT Syndrome
  • Humans
  • Health Maintenance Organizations
  • Female
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Allen LaPointe, N. M., Curtis, L. H., Chan, K. A., Kramer, J. M., Lafata, J. E., Gurwitz, J. H., … Platt, R. (2006). Frequency of high-risk use of QT-prolonging medications. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf, 15(6), 361–368. https://doi.org/10.1002/pds.1155
Allen LaPointe, Nancy M., Lesley H. Curtis, K Arnold Chan, Judith M. Kramer, Jennifer Elston Lafata, Jerry H. Gurwitz, Marsha A. Raebel, and Richard Platt. “Frequency of high-risk use of QT-prolonging medications.Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 15, no. 6 (June 2006): 361–68. https://doi.org/10.1002/pds.1155.
Allen LaPointe NM, Curtis LH, Chan KA, Kramer JM, Lafata JE, Gurwitz JH, et al. Frequency of high-risk use of QT-prolonging medications. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2006 Jun;15(6):361–8.
Allen LaPointe, Nancy M., et al. “Frequency of high-risk use of QT-prolonging medications.Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf, vol. 15, no. 6, June 2006, pp. 361–68. Pubmed, doi:10.1002/pds.1155.
Allen LaPointe NM, Curtis LH, Chan KA, Kramer JM, Lafata JE, Gurwitz JH, Raebel MA, Platt R. Frequency of high-risk use of QT-prolonging medications. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2006 Jun;15(6):361–368.
Journal cover image

Published In

Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf

DOI

ISSN

1053-8569

Publication Date

June 2006

Volume

15

Issue

6

Start / End Page

361 / 368

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Torsades de Pointes
  • Sex Factors
  • Risk Factors
  • Pharmacology & Pharmacy
  • Outpatients
  • Male
  • Long QT Syndrome
  • Humans
  • Health Maintenance Organizations
  • Female