Drug interactions
Chloroquine + Lithium
Severity: Moderate
Chloroquine and Lithium: 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 agents have been associated with QT prolongation, and lithium toxicity or electrolyte shifts can add to the arrhythmic risk. The combination may increase the likelihood of ventricular arrhythmia, especially in patients with cardiac disease or renal impairment.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chloroquine and Lithium 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.
Chloroquine belongs to Anti Parasitic; Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive effects on cardiac repolarization; chloroquine blocks hERG channels and lithium can alter cardiac conduction and T-wave morphology.
What to do
Obtain a baseline ECG and check electrolytes and serum lithium level. Repeat the ECG if symptoms such as palpitations or syncope occur, and consider an alternative antimalarial in high-risk patients.
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 Chloroquine
- Chloroquine + Cisapride Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Dofetilide Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Droperidol Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Panobinostat Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Pimozide Contraindicated
Other interactions of Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chloroquine with Lithium?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chloroquine and Lithium 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 agents have been associated with QT prolongation, and lithium toxicity or electrolyte shifts can add to the arrhythmic risk. The combination may increase the likelihood of ventricular arrhythmia, especially in patients with cardiac disease or renal impairment.
How serious is the interaction between Chloroquine and Lithium?
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 check electrolytes and serum lithium level. Repeat the ECG if symptoms such as palpitations or syncope occur, and consider an alternative antimalarial in high-risk patients.
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.
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