Question 1

i'm somewhat worried about starting celexa (citalopram). i'm only going to be on 20 mg, but i'm worried about drug induced long qt syndrome? ive had a ekg and echo

Accepted Answer

Stop worrying: The risk is extremely low. The fact that you worry over something so unlikely proves you need to take the med.

Question 2

my heart rate is 52.  i also take zoloft (sertraline). sertraline and bradycardia can both induce long qt and torsades de pointes. how can i mitigate my risk?

Accepted Answer

Not taking it.: The newer antidepressants I do not feel put you at higher risk as the older tricyclic antidepressants. However, if you've noticed a change in your heart rhythm since on the Zola, the only way to mitigate this is to not take it and switch to something different

Question 3

i have sinus bradycardia at rest of 48-60. am i at risk of developing long qt or long qt if i take certain drugs?

Accepted Answer

QT interval is heart: rate dependent. QTc corrects for this to some extent. Many drugs can cause QT prolongation but usually in individuals with a genetic predisposition. Is there a family history of sudden death? Other members with QT prolongation? These would increase your risk. If not, your risk is relatively low like the general population regardless of your minimal bradycardia. Discuss your concerns with your MD.

Question 4

on clarithromycin. i do not have long qt. is the drug above associated with heart rhythm problems purely because it increases qtc?

Accepted Answer

Clarithromycin.: There car certainly be a heart rhythm issue when this medication is combined with other medications, such as certain antidepressants.  If you’re on any other medications, run them by your doctor and/or pharmacist and confirm safety in your case.

Question 5

what is a safe anti nausea drug for someone with long qt syndrome and dysautonomia - low blood pressure.

Accepted Answer

Prolonged qt: More and more medications are being listed as dangerous in the presence of prolonged qt interval. Therefore I would ask your pharmacist this question as he/she has more access to this information. I would recommend trying ginger and drinking flat ginger ale or flat Coca-Cola to settle an upset stomach in the patient with prolongation of the qt interval on the EKG to avoid ventricular dysrhythmias.

Question 6

what is preferred/tolerable for anxiety, ocd, panic disorder - lexapro (escitalopram) or zoloft? i have bradycardia worried about long qt from drugs, raised bp, etc.

Accepted Answer

Choices: Both are SSRi.  As,to which is better,that is hard to say.  You could talk to your physician about Pharmacogenomics  testing to decide which is best.

Question 7

can a person who has long qt die suddenly?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Long qt syndrome is one of the main causes of sudden unexpected death in  childhood with otherwise normal heart.

Question 8

does fosfomycin cause long qt?

Accepted Answer

Listed are these: Fosfomycin may cause side effects as per MedLine: nausea, diarrhea, headache, vaginal itching, runny nose, back pain. If a patient experiences from fosfomycin any of the following symptoms, he or she can call the doctor right away: fever, rash, joint pain, swelling of the mouth or tongue, yellowing of the skin or eyes. Heart arrhythmia, prolonged QT, are not on the list.

Question 9

what's the difference between long qt and short qt syndromes?

Accepted Answer

Long QT is an ekg : Abnormality. It can be a source for atrthymia and sudden cardiac death. Some sre inherited and can associated with other abn such as deafness.

Question 10

my qt/qtc is 414/443. im a 59 year old male. which number is used for diagnosing long qt? if it is the 443, am i considered borderline?

Accepted Answer

See below: QTc of 450 msec or longer without electrolyte disturbance such as hypokalemia is generally considered prolonged in adult males.  The diagnosis of Long QT syndrome may be supported by associated bradycardia, second degree AV block, multiple PVCs, ventricular tachycardia, or abnormal T-wave morphologies.

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Doctor answers about:

Drug induced long qt

A member asked:

I'm somewhat worried about starting celexa (citalopram). i'm only going to be on 20 mg, but i'm worried about drug induced long qt syndrome? ive had a ekg and echo

A member asked:

My heart rate is 52. i also take zoloft (sertraline). sertraline and bradycardia can both induce long qt and torsades de pointes. how can i mitigate my risk?

A member asked:

I have sinus bradycardia at rest of 48-60. am i at risk of developing long qt or long qt if i take certain drugs?

A member asked:

On clarithromycin. i do not have long qt. is the drug above associated with heart rhythm problems purely because it increases qtc?

A member asked:

What is a safe anti nausea drug for someone with long qt syndrome and dysautonomia - low blood pressure.

A member asked:

What is preferred/tolerable for anxiety, ocd, panic disorder - lexapro (escitalopram) or zoloft? i have bradycardia worried about long qt from drugs, raised bp, etc.

A member asked:

Can a person who has long qt die suddenly?

A member asked:

Does fosfomycin cause long qt?

A member asked:

What's the difference between long qt and short qt syndromes?

A member asked:

My qt/qtc is 414/443. im a 59 year old male. which number is used for diagnosing long qt? if it is the 443, am i considered borderline?

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