Drug interactions
Ciprofloxacin + Primaquine
Severity: Moderate
Ciprofloxacin 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 drugs can prolong the QT interval, so giving them together may add to the risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsades de pointes. The risk is higher in patients with electrolyte disturbances, heart disease or other QT-prolonging therapy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ciprofloxacin 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.
Ciprofloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Primaquine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Additive blockade of cardiac potassium channels (hERG) leading to delayed repolarization.
What to do
Obtain a baseline ECG and correct hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia before combining. Monitor the QTc during treatment and stop one agent if the QTc becomes markedly prolonged.
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 Ciprofloxacin
- Agomelatine + Ciprofloxacin Contraindicated
- Ciprofloxacin + Fezolinetant Contraindicated
- Ciprofloxacin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Ciprofloxacin + Tizanidine Contraindicated
- Ciprofloxacin + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Alosetron + Ciprofloxacin Major
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 Ciprofloxacin with Primaquine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ciprofloxacin 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 drugs can prolong the QT interval, so giving them together may add to the risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsades de pointes. The risk is higher in patients with electrolyte disturbances, heart disease or other QT-prolonging therapy.
How serious is the interaction between Ciprofloxacin 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: Obtain a baseline ECG and correct hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia before combining. Monitor the QTc during treatment and stop one agent if the QTc becomes markedly prolonged.
What other medicines interact with Ciprofloxacin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ciprofloxacin with, for example, Agomelatine, Fezolinetant, Thioridazine. The full list is on the Ciprofloxacin page.
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