Drug interactions
Arsenic trioxide + Hydroxychloroquine
Severity: Contraindicated
Arsenic trioxide and Hydroxychloroquine: contraindicated 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
Arsenic trioxide causes marked QT prolongation and torsades de pointes, and adding hydroxychloroquine further increases this risk. The combination can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias.
What this interaction means in plain words
Arsenic trioxide and Hydroxychloroquine are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Arsenic trioxide belongs to Oncology; Hydroxychloroquine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation through effects on cardiac ion channels and repolarization.
What to do
Avoid concurrent use and choose an alternative to hydroxychloroquine during arsenic trioxide therapy. If it cannot be avoided, require continuous ECG surveillance with strict correction of potassium and magnesium.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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Other interactions of Hydroxychloroquine
- Cisapride + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Hydroxychloroquine Major
Other interactions of Arsenic trioxide
- Amiodarone + Arsenic trioxide Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Arsenic trioxide Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Clomipramine Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Fluphenazine Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Gemifloxacin Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Arsenic trioxide with Hydroxychloroquine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Arsenic trioxide and Hydroxychloroquine are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Arsenic trioxide causes marked QT prolongation and torsades de pointes, and adding hydroxychloroquine further increases this risk. The combination can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias.
How serious is the interaction between Arsenic trioxide and Hydroxychloroquine?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid concurrent use and choose an alternative to hydroxychloroquine during arsenic trioxide therapy. If it cannot be avoided, require continuous ECG surveillance with strict correction of potassium and magnesium.
What other medicines interact with Hydroxychloroquine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydroxychloroquine with, for example, Cisapride, Dronedarone, Pimozide. The full list is on the Hydroxychloroquine page.
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