Drug interactions
Isoflurane + Quinine
Severity: Moderate
Isoflurane 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
Isoflurane can prolong the QT interval and quinine does too, so perioperative use may increase the risk of torsades de pointes. Quinine may also potentiate neuromuscular blockade during anesthesia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Isoflurane 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.
Isoflurane belongs to Central Nervous System; Quinine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation; quinine also has weak neuromuscular blocking activity.
What to do
Tell the anesthesia team about recent quinine use and monitor ECG and electrolytes perioperatively. Avoid other QT-prolonging drugs around surgery.
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 Isoflurane
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Isoflurane with Quinine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Isoflurane 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. Isoflurane can prolong the QT interval and quinine does too, so perioperative use may increase the risk of torsades de pointes. Quinine may also potentiate neuromuscular blockade during anesthesia.
How serious is the interaction between Isoflurane 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: Tell the anesthesia team about recent quinine use and monitor ECG and electrolytes perioperatively. Avoid other QT-prolonging drugs around surgery.
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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