Drug interactions
Disopyramide + Hydroxychloroquine
Severity: Major
Disopyramide and Hydroxychloroquine: major interaction.
Last updated Sources: US FDA label
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, and using them together adds to the risk of torsades de pointes and other serious ventricular arrhythmias. The risk is higher with electrolyte disturbances, bradycardia, or structural heart disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Disopyramide and Hydroxychloroquine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Disopyramide belongs to Cardiovascular; Hydroxychloroquine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive blockade of cardiac repolarizing potassium currents (hERG) causes additive QT prolongation.
What to do
Avoid the combination where an alternative antiarrhythmic or antimalarial/DMARD is available. If it cannot be avoided, obtain a baseline ECG, correct potassium and magnesium, and monitor the QTc during treatment.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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References
Other interactions of Hydroxychloroquine
- Arsenic trioxide + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Cisapride + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Vandetanib Contraindicated
Other interactions of Disopyramide
- Amisulpride + Disopyramide Contraindicated
- Desipramine + Disopyramide Contraindicated
- Disopyramide + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Disopyramide + Itraconazole Contraindicated
- Disopyramide + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
- Disopyramide + Maprotiline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Disopyramide with Hydroxychloroquine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Disopyramide and Hydroxychloroquine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Both drugs can prolong the QT interval, and using them together adds to the risk of torsades de pointes and other serious ventricular arrhythmias. The risk is higher with electrolyte disturbances, bradycardia, or structural heart disease.
How serious is the interaction between Disopyramide and Hydroxychloroquine?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination where an alternative antiarrhythmic or antimalarial/DMARD is available. If it cannot be avoided, obtain a baseline ECG, correct potassium and magnesium, and monitor the QTc during treatment.
What other medicines interact with Hydroxychloroquine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydroxychloroquine with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Cisapride, Dronedarone. The full list is on the Hydroxychloroquine page.
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