Drug interactions
Dexamethasone + Quinine
Severity: Moderate
Dexamethasone and Quinine: 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
Dexamethasone is a CYP3A4 inducer and may lower quinine concentrations, especially with prolonged or high-dose use. This could reduce antimalarial efficacy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dexamethasone and Quinine 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.
Dexamethasone belongs to Endocrine; Quinine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Induction of CYP3A4 by dexamethasone, accelerating quinine metabolism.
What to do
Monitor clinical response to quinine during prolonged dexamethasone therapy, and consider parasitological follow-up in malaria.
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 Quinine
- Arsenic trioxide + Quinine Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Quinine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Quinine Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Quinine Contraindicated
- Mefloquine + Quinine Contraindicated
- Nilotinib + Quinine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Dexamethasone
- Bcg vaccine live + Dexamethasone Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Varicella virus vaccine live Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Yellow fever vaccine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Dexamethasone with Quinine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dexamethasone and Quinine 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. Dexamethasone is a CYP3A4 inducer and may lower quinine concentrations, especially with prolonged or high-dose use. This could reduce antimalarial efficacy.
How serious is the interaction between Dexamethasone and Quinine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor clinical response to quinine during prolonged dexamethasone therapy, and consider parasitological follow-up in malaria.
What other medicines interact with Quinine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Quinine with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Dofetilide, Dronedarone. The full list is on the Quinine page.
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