Drug interactions
Quinidine + Succinylcholine
Severity: Moderate
Quinidine and Succinylcholine: 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
Quinidine has neuromuscular blocking activity of its own and can potentiate and prolong the blockade produced by succinylcholine. Recurrent or prolonged paralysis has been reported with quinidine and neuromuscular blockers.
What this interaction means in plain words
Quinidine and Succinylcholine 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; Succinylcholine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Quinidine has weak curare-like effects at the neuromuscular junction, adding to the depolarizing block.
What to do
Monitor neuromuscular function with a nerve stimulator and reduce relaxant dosing as needed; ensure full recovery before extubation.
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 Succinylcholine
Other interactions of Quinidine
- Adagrasib + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Quinidine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Quinidine with Succinylcholine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Quinidine and Succinylcholine 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 has neuromuscular blocking activity of its own and can potentiate and prolong the blockade produced by succinylcholine. Recurrent or prolonged paralysis has been reported with quinidine and neuromuscular blockers.
How serious is the interaction between Quinidine and Succinylcholine?
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 neuromuscular function with a nerve stimulator and reduce relaxant dosing as needed; ensure full recovery before extubation.
What other medicines interact with Succinylcholine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Succinylcholine with, for example, Amikacin, Bacitracin-neomycin-polymyxin, Capreomycin. The full list is on the Succinylcholine page.
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