Drug interactions
Chloroquine + Primaquine
Severity: Moderate
Chloroquine and Primaquine: 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 antimalarials can prolong the QT interval and they are often given sequentially or together for malaria. Combined use adds to the risk of ventricular arrhythmia, though the effect of primaquine is generally modest.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chloroquine and Primaquine 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; Primaquine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Additive prolongation of cardiac repolarization.
What to do
Combination is used in practice, so obtain a baseline ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors and correct electrolytes. Monitor QTc and avoid additional QT-prolonging drugs.
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 Chloroquine and Primaquine, 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 Primaquine
- Pimozide + Primaquine Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Primaquine Major
- Amisulpride + Primaquine Major
- Anagrelide + Primaquine Major
- Arsenic trioxide + Primaquine Major
- Asenapine + Primaquine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chloroquine with Primaquine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chloroquine and Primaquine 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 antimalarials can prolong the QT interval and they are often given sequentially or together for malaria. Combined use adds to the risk of ventricular arrhythmia, though the effect of primaquine is generally modest.
How serious is the interaction between Chloroquine and Primaquine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Combination is used in practice, so obtain a baseline ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors and correct electrolytes. Monitor QTc and avoid additional QT-prolonging drugs.
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.
