Drug interactions
Mefloquine + Quinine
Severity: Contraindicated
Mefloquine and Quinine: contraindicated 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 agents prolong the QT interval and mefloquine can also cause conduction abnormalities and seizures. Given together, or soon after one another, they raise the risk of serious arrhythmias and cardiac arrest.
What this interaction means in plain words
Mefloquine and Quinine are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Mefloquine belongs to Anti Parasitic; Quinine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation and cardiac conduction effects (pharmacodynamic synergism).
What to do
Avoid concurrent use; do not give mefloquine within about 12 hours after quinine. If quinine is required for severe malaria, use ECG monitoring and avoid mefloquine prophylaxis or treatment.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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Other interactions of Quinine
- Arsenic trioxide + Quinine Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Quinine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Quinine Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Quinine Contraindicated
- Nilotinib + Quinine Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Quinine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Mefloquine
- Arsenic trioxide + Mefloquine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Mefloquine Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Mefloquine Contraindicated
- Levoketoconazole + Mefloquine Contraindicated
- Mefloquine + Nilotinib Contraindicated
- Mefloquine + Pimozide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Mefloquine with Quinine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Mefloquine and Quinine are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Both agents prolong the QT interval and mefloquine can also cause conduction abnormalities and seizures. Given together, or soon after one another, they raise the risk of serious arrhythmias and cardiac arrest.
How serious is the interaction between Mefloquine and Quinine?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid concurrent use; do not give mefloquine within about 12 hours after quinine. If quinine is required for severe malaria, use ECG monitoring and avoid mefloquine prophylaxis or treatment.
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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