Drug interactions
Quinine + Tacrolimus
Severity: Moderate
Quinine and Tacrolimus: 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
Both drugs can prolong the QT interval, so giving them together may add to the risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsades de pointes. The risk is higher with electrolyte disturbances, bradycardia or underlying heart disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Quinine and Tacrolimus 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.
Quinine belongs to Anti Parasitic; Tacrolimus belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Additive prolongation of cardiac repolarization through potassium channel effects (pharmacodynamic).
What to do
Obtain a baseline ECG and correct potassium and magnesium before starting. Repeat the ECG during combined use and monitor tacrolimus trough levels.
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 Quinine
- Arsenic trioxide + Quinine Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Quinine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Quinine Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Quinine Contraindicated
- Mefloquine + Quinine Contraindicated
- Nilotinib + Quinine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Tacrolimus
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
- Cidofovir + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
- Cyclosporin + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Quinine with Tacrolimus?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Quinine and Tacrolimus 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. Both drugs can prolong the QT interval, so giving them together may add to the risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsades de pointes. The risk is higher with electrolyte disturbances, bradycardia or underlying heart disease.
How serious is the interaction between Quinine and Tacrolimus?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Obtain a baseline ECG and correct potassium and magnesium before starting. Repeat the ECG during combined use and monitor tacrolimus trough levels.
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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