Drug interactions
Quinidine + Rufinamide
Severity: Minor
Quinidine and Rufinamide: minor 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
Rufinamide is a weak inducer of CYP3A4 and may speed up the metabolism of quinidine, which is largely cleared by this enzyme. Quinidine levels may fall and its antiarrhythmic or antimalarial effect may be reduced.
What this interaction means in plain words
Quinidine and Rufinamide have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Quinidine belongs to Anti Parasitic; Rufinamide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Weak induction of CYP3A4 by rufinamide increases the hepatic and intestinal metabolism of quinidine.
What to do
Monitor the clinical response and ECG when rufinamide is started or stopped in a patient on quinidine. Check quinidine serum concentrations if efficacy appears reduced and adjust the dose accordingly.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Quinidine
- Adagrasib + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Quinidine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Rufinamide
- Carbamazepine + Rufinamide Moderate
- Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol + Rufinamide Moderate
- Dronedarone + Rufinamide Moderate
- Esketamine + Rufinamide Moderate
- Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone + Rufinamide Moderate
- Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel + Rufinamide Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Quinidine with Rufinamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Quinidine and Rufinamide have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Rufinamide is a weak inducer of CYP3A4 and may speed up the metabolism of quinidine, which is largely cleared by this enzyme. Quinidine levels may fall and its antiarrhythmic or antimalarial effect may be reduced.
How serious is the interaction between Quinidine and Rufinamide?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor the clinical response and ECG when rufinamide is started or stopped in a patient on quinidine. Check quinidine serum concentrations if efficacy appears reduced and adjust the dose accordingly.
What other medicines interact with Quinidine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Quinidine with, for example, Adagrasib, Arsenic trioxide, Artemether / lumefantrine. The full list is on the Quinidine page.
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