title: [Syncopes during simultaneous use of terfenadine and itraconazole].
abstract: A 36-year-old female was given terfenadine 120 mg/day for hay fever, and itraconazole 100 mg twice daily for mycosis. Nine days after starting these drugs, she had several episodes of syncope. The ECG showed a long QT interval and torsades de pointes. The drugs were withdrawn and the patient temporarily received an infusion of isoprenaline, after which the QT interval returned to normal and no further episodes of torsades de pointes occurred. No other causes than the two drugs were found to explain these episodes.
authors.affiliation: Academisch Ziekenhuis, afd. Cardiologie, Utrecht.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Romkes
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Froger
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Wever
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Westerhof
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D009181:Mycoses / Q000188:drug therapy; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy; D013575:Syncope / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016593:Terfenadine / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D017964:Itraconazole; D016593:Terfenadine; D007545:Isoproterenol