Our group is committed to better understanding and predicting drug safety. With that goal in mind and to keep the public informed, we will use this space to summarize news and research surrounding the cardiovascular safety of putative COVID-19 therapies. We will not, however, comment on the effectiveness of therapies in the prophylaxis or management of COVID-19. This information is presented in a way that is understandable by a wide audience. Please note that due to the rapid nature of coronavirus related news and research, we may revise some statements as newer information becomes available.

QT Prolongation and Arrhythmia Potential of
COVID-19 Pharmacotherapy

Maintained by:
Adam Lauver PhD, Michigan State University
Nicholas Ether, Michigan State University
(last updated October 9, 2020)

Links to official statements:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Therapeutic Options for patients with COVID-19

US Food & Drug Administration: COVID-19 Medical Countermeasures

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: Therapeutic Options for COVID-19 Currently Under Investigation

Key citations:

Risk assessment of drug‐induced Long QT Syndrome for some COVID‐19 repurposed drugs. Veronique Michaud, Pamela Dow, Sweilem B. Al Rihani, Malavika Deodhar, Meghan Arwood, Brian Cicali, Jacques Turgeon. (2020)

Cardiac safety of off-label COVID-19 drug therapy: a review and proposed monitoring protocol. Naksuk, N., Lazar, S., & Peeraphatdit, T. (2020)

Urgent Guidance for Navigating and Circumventing the QTc-Prolonging and Torsadogenic Potential of Possible Pharmacotherapies for Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19). Giudicessi JR, Noseworthy PA, Friedman PA, Ackerman MJ. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. (2020)

Considerations for Drug Interactions on QTc in Exploratory COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) Treatment. Roden DM, Harrington RA, Poppas A, Russo AM. (2020)

Crediblemeds.org: COVID-19 experimental therapies and TdP Risk (last accessed April 10, 2020)

Description and Proposed Management of the Acute COVID-19 Cardiovascular Syndrome Nicholas S. Hendren , Mark H. Drazner , Biykem Bozkurt , and Leslie T. Cooper, Jr. (2020)