Drug interactions
Ampicillin + Chloroquine
Severity: Moderate
Ampicillin and Chloroquine: 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
Oral chloroquine may reduce the absorption of oral ampicillin, lowering its serum concentrations. This could reduce antibacterial effectiveness.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ampicillin and Chloroquine 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.
Ampicillin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Chloroquine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Chloroquine reduces gastrointestinal absorption of ampicillin.
What to do
Separate oral doses by at least 2 hours, giving ampicillin first. Consider parenteral ampicillin for serious infections.
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 Ampicillin
- Allopurinol + Ampicillin Moderate
- Ampicillin + Bcg vaccine live Moderate
- Ampicillin + Chloramphenicol Moderate
- Ampicillin + Cholera vaccine Moderate
- Ampicillin + Demeclocycline Moderate
- Ampicillin + Eravacycline Moderate
Other interactions of Chloroquine
- Chloroquine + Cisapride Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Dofetilide Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Droperidol Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Panobinostat Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Pimozide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ampicillin with Chloroquine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ampicillin and Chloroquine 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. Oral chloroquine may reduce the absorption of oral ampicillin, lowering its serum concentrations. This could reduce antibacterial effectiveness.
How serious is the interaction between Ampicillin and Chloroquine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Separate oral doses by at least 2 hours, giving ampicillin first. Consider parenteral ampicillin for serious infections.
What other medicines interact with Ampicillin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ampicillin with, for example, Allopurinol, Bcg vaccine live, Chloramphenicol. The full list is on the Ampicillin page.
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