Drug interactions
Hydrocortisone + Quinine
Severity: Minor
Hydrocortisone and Quinine: minor 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
A clinically relevant reduction in quinine levels from hydrocortisone is not established. Steroid-related hypokalemia could add to quinine QT risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrocortisone and Quinine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Hydrocortisone belongs to Endocrine; Quinine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Possible weak CYP3A4 induction; steroid-induced hypokalemia may add to QT risk.
What to do
Monitor potassium with prolonged steroid use and monitor the response to quinine in severe malaria.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Hydrocortisone and Quinine, 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 Hydrocortisone
- Hydrocortisone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aldesleukin + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aspirin + Hydrocortisone Major
Other interactions of Quinine
- Arsenic trioxide + Quinine Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Quinine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Quinine Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Quinine Contraindicated
- Mefloquine + Quinine Contraindicated
- Nilotinib + Quinine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydrocortisone with Quinine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Hydrocortisone and Quinine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. A clinically relevant reduction in quinine levels from hydrocortisone is not established. Steroid-related hypokalemia could add to quinine QT risk.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrocortisone and Quinine?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor potassium with prolonged steroid use and monitor the response to quinine in severe malaria.
What other medicines interact with Hydrocortisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydrocortisone with, for example, Mifepristone, Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent, Smallpox vaccine live. The full list is on the Hydrocortisone 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.
