QT prolongation is a recognised risk factor for the development of 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 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 with other QT prolonging drugs and/or hepatic cytochrome P450 isoenzyme inhibitors which interfere with QT prolonging drugs should be avoided
