Drug interactions
Amitriptyline + Hydroxychloroquine
Severity: Moderate
Amitriptyline and Hydroxychloroquine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both drugs can prolong the QT interval, and combining them increases the risk of ventricular arrhythmia including torsades de pointes. Risk is greater with higher doses and electrolyte abnormalities.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amitriptyline and Hydroxychloroquine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Amitriptyline belongs to Central Nervous System; Hydroxychloroquine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation through cardiac potassium channel blockade.
What to do
Obtain a baseline ECG and monitor QTc, and correct potassium and magnesium. Consider an alternative antidepressant in patients with other QT risk factors.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Hydroxychloroquine
- Arsenic trioxide + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Cisapride + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Vandetanib Contraindicated
Other interactions of Amitriptyline
- Amitriptyline + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Safinamide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amitriptyline with Hydroxychloroquine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Amitriptyline and Hydroxychloroquine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both drugs can prolong the QT interval, and combining them increases the risk of ventricular arrhythmia including torsades de pointes. Risk is greater with higher doses and electrolyte abnormalities.
How serious is the interaction between Amitriptyline and Hydroxychloroquine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Obtain a baseline ECG and monitor QTc, and correct potassium and magnesium. Consider an alternative antidepressant in patients with other QT risk factors.
What other medicines interact with Hydroxychloroquine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydroxychloroquine with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Cisapride, Dronedarone. The full list is on the Hydroxychloroquine page.
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