Nelfinavir and Ivabradine Added to QTdrugs.org Lists

Based upon our analysis of emerging evidence and official drug labeling, the following changes have been made to the lists:

Nelfinavir (Viracept^®) is a drug used for the treatment of HIV/AIDS that has been added to the list of medicines with Conditional Risk of Torsades de Pointes (TdP).  There is substantial evidence that nelfinavir is associated with TdP when taken with other medicines that prolong the QT interval or drugs that block the metabolic breakdown of nelfinavir.

Ivabradine (Procoralan^®, Coralan^®, Corlentor^®, Coraxan^®, Ivabid^®, Bradia^®) is a medicine approved in many countries outside the US for treatment of angina pectoris (heart pain). It has also been added to the list of drugs with Conditional Risk of Torsades de Pointes (TdP). There is substantial evidence that ivabradine is associated with TdP when taken with other medicines that prolong the QT interval, diuretics or drugs that block the metabolic breakdown of ivabradine, or electrolyte abnormalities (low potassium or low magnesium), which may be induced by co-administration of diuretics.

For patients with congenital long QT syndrome (CLQTS), we recommend that drugs appearing on any of the QTdrugs lists should be avoided, unless no other option is feasible. For this reason, nelfinavir and ivabradine will be included on our list of Drugs to be Avoided by Patients with Congenital Long QT Syndrome.

Please try our online My Medicines Forms that screen your medication list to determine if any have risk of causing torsades de pointes or QT prolongation.