Drug interactions
Mefloquine + Paroxetine
Severity: Moderate
Mefloquine and Paroxetine: 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
Paroxetine has a low potential for QT prolongation compared with other antidepressants, but mefloquine adds QT effects and both can cause neuropsychiatric symptoms. The combination may modestly increase arrhythmic risk and complicate assessment of psychiatric adverse effects.
What this interaction means in plain words
Mefloquine and Paroxetine 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.
Mefloquine belongs to Anti Parasitic; Paroxetine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QT effects and overlapping neuropsychiatric toxicity; paroxetine's CYP2D6 inhibition is unlikely to affect mefloquine.
What to do
Obtain a baseline ECG if other QT risk factors are present and monitor mood, anxiety and sleep disturbance during mefloquine use.
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 Mefloquine
- Arsenic trioxide + Mefloquine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Mefloquine Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Mefloquine Contraindicated
- Levoketoconazole + Mefloquine Contraindicated
- Mefloquine + Nilotinib Contraindicated
- Mefloquine + Pimozide Contraindicated
Other interactions of Paroxetine
- Isocarboxazid + Paroxetine Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Paroxetine Contraindicated
- Paroxetine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Paroxetine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Paroxetine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Paroxetine + Selegiline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Mefloquine with Paroxetine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Mefloquine and Paroxetine 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. Paroxetine has a low potential for QT prolongation compared with other antidepressants, but mefloquine adds QT effects and both can cause neuropsychiatric symptoms. The combination may modestly increase arrhythmic risk and complicate assessment of psychiatric adverse effects.
How serious is the interaction between Mefloquine and Paroxetine?
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 if other QT risk factors are present and monitor mood, anxiety and sleep disturbance during mefloquine use.
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.
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