Drug interactions
Nilotinib + Quinine
Severity: Contraindicated
Nilotinib 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
Nilotinib carries a boxed warning for QT prolongation and sudden death, and quinine adds further QT-prolonging effect. Quinine may also raise nilotinib levels through CYP3A4 inhibition, which compounds the risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Nilotinib 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.
Nilotinib belongs to Oncology; Quinine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Additive hERG-mediated QT prolongation, with possible CYP3A4 inhibition by quinine increasing nilotinib exposure.
What to do
Do not use together; choose an alternative antimalarial or defer nilotinib if quinine is essential. If unavoidable, use continuous ECG monitoring and electrolyte correction.
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
- Mefloquine + Quinine Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Quinine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Nilotinib
- Amiodarone + Nilotinib Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Nilotinib Contraindicated
- Disopyramide + Nilotinib Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Nilotinib Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Nilotinib Contraindicated
- Droperidol + Nilotinib Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Nilotinib with Quinine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Nilotinib 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. Nilotinib carries a boxed warning for QT prolongation and sudden death, and quinine adds further QT-prolonging effect. Quinine may also raise nilotinib levels through CYP3A4 inhibition, which compounds the risk.
How serious is the interaction between Nilotinib 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: Do not use together; choose an alternative antimalarial or defer nilotinib if quinine is essential. If unavoidable, use continuous ECG monitoring and electrolyte correction.
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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