TGA urges caution over donepezil and long QT syndrome
The watchdog says clinical monitoring may be required if donepezil is prescribed with other drugs known to affect cardiac conduction
The TGA is urging awareness of cardiac disorders linked to the use of the cholinesterase inhibitor donepezil, particularly for patients with long QT syndrome or a family history of the disorder.
In its latest Medicines Safety Update, the TGA reveals 18 cases of cardiac events related to donepezil have been reported to its adverse event database up to early January.
These include complete atrioventricular block, bundle-branch block, bifascicular block and Torsades de Pointes.
The TGA says the product information for donepezil has just been updated to list adverse effects including cases of QT interval prolongation and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.
