Drug interactions
Maprotiline + Mefloquine
Severity: Major
Maprotiline and Mefloquine: major 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
Maprotiline is a tetracyclic antidepressant that can prolong QT and lower the seizure threshold. Mefloquine also prolongs QT and carries neuropsychiatric and seizure risk, so the combination may increase both arrhythmic and seizure risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Maprotiline and Mefloquine 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.
Maprotiline belongs to Central Nervous System; Mefloquine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation and additive lowering of the seizure threshold.
What to do
Avoid combined use and select an alternative antimalarial. If unavoidable, obtain a baseline ECG, correct electrolytes and monitor for arrhythmia and seizures.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Maprotiline and Mefloquine, 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 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Mefloquine
- Arsenic trioxide + Mefloquine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Mefloquine Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Mefloquine Contraindicated
- Levoketoconazole + Mefloquine Contraindicated
- Mefloquine + Nilotinib Contraindicated
- Mefloquine + Pimozide Contraindicated
Other interactions of Maprotiline
- Arsenic trioxide + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Disopyramide + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Maprotiline Contraindicated
- Maprotiline + Methylene blue Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Maprotiline with Mefloquine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Maprotiline and Mefloquine 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. Maprotiline is a tetracyclic antidepressant that can prolong QT and lower the seizure threshold. Mefloquine also prolongs QT and carries neuropsychiatric and seizure risk, so the combination may increase both arrhythmic and seizure risk.
How serious is the interaction between Maprotiline and Mefloquine?
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 combined use and select an alternative antimalarial. If unavoidable, obtain a baseline ECG, correct electrolytes and monitor for arrhythmia and seizures.
What other medicines interact with Mefloquine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Mefloquine with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Dronedarone, Ibutilide. The full list is on the Mefloquine 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.
