Drug interactions
Quinidine + Sodium bicarbonate
Severity: Moderate
Quinidine and Sodium bicarbonate: 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
Alkalinization of the urine reduces the renal elimination of quinidine, a weak base, so its plasma concentrations can rise. This may cause toxicity such as QT prolongation, conduction disturbances and arrhythmias.
What this interaction means in plain words
Quinidine and Sodium bicarbonate 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.
Quinidine belongs to Anti Parasitic; Sodium bicarbonate belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Alkaline urine increases the non-ionized fraction of quinidine, which enhances its tubular reabsorption and reduces renal clearance.
What to do
Monitor ECG and quinidine levels when alkalinizing agents are started or changed, and reduce the quinidine dose if levels or the QRS or QT interval increase. Avoid regular use of systemic alkalinizers unless needed.
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 Quinidine
- Adagrasib + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Quinidine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Sodium bicarbonate
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Sodium bicarbonate Moderate
- Alendronate + Sodium bicarbonate Moderate
- Amantadine + Sodium bicarbonate Moderate
- Carbonyl iron + Sodium bicarbonate Moderate
- Cefditoren + Sodium bicarbonate Moderate
- Cefpodoxime + Sodium bicarbonate Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Quinidine with Sodium bicarbonate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Quinidine and Sodium bicarbonate 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. Alkalinization of the urine reduces the renal elimination of quinidine, a weak base, so its plasma concentrations can rise. This may cause toxicity such as QT prolongation, conduction disturbances and arrhythmias.
How serious is the interaction between Quinidine and Sodium bicarbonate?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor ECG and quinidine levels when alkalinizing agents are started or changed, and reduce the quinidine dose if levels or the QRS or QT interval increase. Avoid regular use of systemic alkalinizers unless needed.
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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