QT-Prolongation Syndrome

Medications
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I went to the ER today cuz I passed out for a few minutes at home. The EKG shows I have QT-Prolongation Syndrome. They told me to cut my clozapine from 150mg to 100mg and to get another EKG at my doctor’s office tomorrow. They said that if it doesn’t improve then I may have to go off clozapine. I’ve been reducing it for the last 2 weeks, gone from 300 mg to 150, but I hadn’t intended to fully stop it.

What really scares me is that if I have to go off it totally, they said I may have to do it inpatient. The last time I went off a med “cold turkey”, I had terrible hallucinations and delusions. But most of all, clozapine has really helped my suicidal ideation and self harm.

Has anyone here dealt with QT-Prolongation Syndrome? What did you do to improve it, if anything? Thank you for your replies…

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I’m sorry to hear that your meds are causing you trouble. Have you been on olanzapine? They are supposed to be similar.

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I read online that Invega has low risk for QT prolongation.

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I’m so sorry to hear this. @WhiteRaven

I would put another vote or recommendation for olanzapine. Have you tried it for a good while? What about Lybalvi? I take the wafer form of olanzapine and it works well for me. I don’t have self harm troubles though so I can’t comment on that. But it helps the sz a lot for me. I take 30 mg.

Best wishes to you.

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Yeah, I’ve been on olanzapine before… that’s the problem, I’ve been on everything, from pills to when I was on court ordered injections. The clozapine is pretty much a last resort. Still, they said I might be able to go up on the Vraylar, so maybe that’ll be okay …

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i m so sorry to hear that.i think olanzapine or invega injections might be the option for you.i hope you get well soon.invega is quite strong medicine.i m sure it will help the ease your symptoms

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I had Qt longation when I was on Stelazine, I passed out at a Bible study right in front of God and everybody.

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I’m in same boat

Clozapine is causing a higher QTc interval
Last ECG I was a few points under 500. 500+ apparently can be more risky

So this is why my psychiatrist wants me to undergo other tests before introducing a second AP as I get off of clozapine completely (hopefully)… supposed to be put on Vraylar

When combining 2+ AP it apparently it can increase prolongation
I am taking 125mg clozapine a day for now, been almost a year. But besides the QT interval, it causes tachycardia for me , and all the negative symptoms

QT interval is “electric” my doc told me. It’s usually caused most likely by medications for people like us

Beta blocker med may shorten it

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Thank you for the information! That was helpful. My EKG last night said it was 520, but I didn’t know what that meant until I read your post…

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Np you can PM me if you want
I’m waiting for heart results right now before my pdoc can introduce Vraylar and begin discontinuing Clozapine

Usually your doctor should always monitor QT interval , ESPECIALLY if he/she prescribed you 2 different APs. SSRIs can also sometimes be a factor