Drug interactions
Arsenic trioxide + Quinidine
Severity: Contraindicated
Arsenic trioxide and Quinidine: 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
Both drugs prolong the QT interval, and arsenic trioxide is also linked to torsades de pointes and complete AV block. Combined use raises the risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Arsenic trioxide and Quinidine 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; Quinidine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Additive blockade of cardiac repolarizing potassium currents causing QT prolongation.
What to do
Avoid the combination and choose a non-QT-prolonging antiarrhythmic. If unavoidable, correct potassium and magnesium and monitor ECG closely.
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 Quinidine
- Adagrasib + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Droperidol + Quinidine Contraindicated
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 Quinidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Arsenic trioxide and Quinidine 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. Both drugs prolong the QT interval, and arsenic trioxide is also linked to torsades de pointes and complete AV block. Combined use raises the risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia.
How serious is the interaction between Arsenic trioxide and Quinidine?
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 the combination and choose a non-QT-prolonging antiarrhythmic. If unavoidable, correct potassium and magnesium and monitor ECG closely.
What other medicines interact with Quinidine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Quinidine with, for example, Adagrasib, Artemether / lumefantrine, Chloroquine. The full list is on the Quinidine page.
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