QT prolongation is a recognised risk factor for ventricular arrhythmias including torsades de pointes, that may result in sudden cardiac death
Many risk factors are associated with QT prolongation; drugs are the most common acquired risk factor
Before initiating a QT prolonging drug, patients should be assessed for other risk factors and any modifiable risk factors should be corrected
Co-administration of a QT prolonging drug, especially with other QT prolonging drugs and/or hepatic cytochrome P450 isoenzyme inhibitors which interfere with QT prolonging drugs should be avoided
