Drug interactions
Chloroquine + Tacrolimus
Severity: Moderate
Chloroquine and Tacrolimus: 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 drugs can prolong the QT interval, so combined use raises the risk of torsades de pointes. Tacrolimus can also cause electrolyte disturbances such as hypomagnesemia and hyperkalemia, which increases arrhythmia risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chloroquine and Tacrolimus 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; Tacrolimus belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation, with tacrolimus-related electrolyte disturbance contributing.
What to do
Check ECG and electrolytes, especially magnesium and potassium, at baseline and during co-therapy. Monitor tacrolimus trough levels as clinically indicated.
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 Tacrolimus, 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 Tacrolimus
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
- Cidofovir + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
- Cyclosporin + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chloroquine with Tacrolimus?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chloroquine and Tacrolimus 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 drugs can prolong the QT interval, so combined use raises the risk of torsades de pointes. Tacrolimus can also cause electrolyte disturbances such as hypomagnesemia and hyperkalemia, which increases arrhythmia risk.
How serious is the interaction between Chloroquine and Tacrolimus?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check ECG and electrolytes, especially magnesium and potassium, at baseline and during co-therapy. Monitor tacrolimus trough levels as clinically indicated.
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.
