Drug interactions
Mefloquine + Sotalol
Severity: Major
Mefloquine and Sotalol: 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
Sotalol is a well-known QT-prolonging drug that causes torsades de pointes, and mefloquine adds to this effect. Mefloquine can also cause bradycardia and conduction abnormalities, which further raises the risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Mefloquine and Sotalol 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.
Mefloquine belongs to Anti Parasitic; Sotalol belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive prolongation of cardiac repolarization and bradycardic effects (pharmacodynamic synergism).
What to do
Avoid the combination and choose an alternative antimalarial. If it cannot be avoided, monitor ECG and keep potassium and magnesium within normal range.
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?
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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 Sotalol
- Arsenic trioxide + Sotalol Contraindicated
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Sotalol Contraindicated
- Disopyramide + Sotalol Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Sotalol Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Sotalol Contraindicated
- Droperidol + Sotalol Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Mefloquine with Sotalol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Mefloquine and Sotalol 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. Sotalol is a well-known QT-prolonging drug that causes torsades de pointes, and mefloquine adds to this effect. Mefloquine can also cause bradycardia and conduction abnormalities, which further raises the risk.
How serious is the interaction between Mefloquine and Sotalol?
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 the combination and choose an alternative antimalarial. If it cannot be avoided, monitor ECG and keep potassium and magnesium within normal range.
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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