Drug interactions
Carbamazepine + Chloroquine
Severity: Moderate
Carbamazepine 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
Carbamazepine induces hepatic enzymes and may lower chloroquine concentrations, potentially reducing antimalarial or antirheumatic efficacy. Chloroquine has also been reported to raise carbamazepine levels in some cases.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbamazepine 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.
Carbamazepine belongs to Central Nervous System; Chloroquine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Carbamazepine induces CYP3A4 and other enzymes, increasing chloroquine clearance.
What to do
Monitor for reduced chloroquine response and for carbamazepine toxicity; check carbamazepine levels if symptoms occur.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Carbamazepine and Chloroquine, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Chloroquine
- Chloroquine + Cisapride Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Dofetilide Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Droperidol Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Panobinostat Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Pimozide Contraindicated
Other interactions of Carbamazepine
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Carbamazepine Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Carbamazepine Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Delamanid Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Dienogest / estradiol valerate Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Doravirine Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Elbasvir / grazoprevir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Carbamazepine with Chloroquine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbamazepine 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. Carbamazepine induces hepatic enzymes and may lower chloroquine concentrations, potentially reducing antimalarial or antirheumatic efficacy. Chloroquine has also been reported to raise carbamazepine levels in some cases.
How serious is the interaction between Carbamazepine 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: Monitor for reduced chloroquine response and for carbamazepine toxicity; check carbamazepine levels if symptoms occur.
What other medicines interact with Chloroquine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Chloroquine with, for example, Cisapride, Dofetilide, Dronedarone. The full list is on the Chloroquine page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
