Drug interactions
Chloroquine + Sunitinib
Severity: Moderate
Chloroquine and Sunitinib: 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 chloroquine and sunitinib can prolong the QT interval, so using them together may add to the risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsades de pointes. The risk is greater with electrolyte disturbances, bradycardia or underlying heart disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chloroquine and Sunitinib 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; Sunitinib belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Additive blockade of cardiac repolarizing potassium currents (hERG), leading to QTc prolongation.
What to do
Obtain a baseline ECG and correct potassium and magnesium before starting, then repeat the ECG during co-therapy. Consider an alternative antimalarial or stop one agent if QTc rises markedly.
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 Sunitinib
- Adagrasib + Sunitinib Major
- Amiodarone + Sunitinib Major
- Amisulpride + Sunitinib Major
- Anagrelide + Sunitinib Major
- Apalutamide + Sunitinib Major
- Arsenic trioxide + Sunitinib Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chloroquine with Sunitinib?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chloroquine and Sunitinib 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 chloroquine and sunitinib can prolong the QT interval, so using them together may add to the risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsades de pointes. The risk is greater with electrolyte disturbances, bradycardia or underlying heart disease.
How serious is the interaction between Chloroquine and Sunitinib?
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 correct potassium and magnesium before starting, then repeat the ECG during co-therapy. Consider an alternative antimalarial or stop one agent if QTc rises markedly.
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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