Drug interactions
Doxepin + Hydroxychloroquine
Severity: Moderate
Doxepin and Hydroxychloroquine: 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
Doxepin is a tricyclic antidepressant that can prolong the QT interval, particularly at higher doses or in overdose. Together with hydroxychloroquine, the risk of QT prolongation and ventricular arrhythmia is increased.
What this interaction means in plain words
Doxepin and Hydroxychloroquine 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.
Doxepin belongs to Dermatology; Hydroxychloroquine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive effects on cardiac repolarization through potassium channel blockade lead to additive QT prolongation.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doxepin dose and obtain a baseline ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors. Correct electrolyte abnormalities and monitor the QTc, or choose a non-QT-prolonging alternative.
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 Hydroxychloroquine
- Arsenic trioxide + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Cisapride + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Vandetanib Contraindicated
Other interactions of Doxepin
- Doxepin + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Doxepin with Hydroxychloroquine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Doxepin and Hydroxychloroquine 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. Doxepin is a tricyclic antidepressant that can prolong the QT interval, particularly at higher doses or in overdose. Together with hydroxychloroquine, the risk of QT prolongation and ventricular arrhythmia is increased.
How serious is the interaction between Doxepin and Hydroxychloroquine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective doxepin dose and obtain a baseline ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors. Correct electrolyte abnormalities and monitor the QTc, or choose a non-QT-prolonging alternative.
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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