Drug interactions
Hydroxychloroquine + Primaquine
Severity: Moderate
Hydroxychloroquine 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 antimalarials can prolong the QT interval, and used together may have an additive effect that raises the risk of ventricular arrhythmia. This matters most in patients with cardiac disease or electrolyte abnormalities.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydroxychloroquine 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.
Hydroxychloroquine belongs to Musculoskeletal; Primaquine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation; primaquine's effect is modest compared with other antimalarials.
What to do
Obtain a baseline ECG and monitor the QTc during combined use, correcting potassium and magnesium. Consider an alternative 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 Hydroxychloroquine
- Arsenic trioxide + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Cisapride + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Vandetanib Contraindicated
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 Hydroxychloroquine with Primaquine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydroxychloroquine 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 antimalarials can prolong the QT interval, and used together may have an additive effect that raises the risk of ventricular arrhythmia. This matters most in patients with cardiac disease or electrolyte abnormalities.
How serious is the interaction between Hydroxychloroquine 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 monitor the QTc during combined use, correcting potassium and magnesium. Consider an alternative if the QTc becomes markedly prolonged.
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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