Drug interactions
Quinine + Tetracaine
Severity: Moderate
Quinine and Tetracaine: 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
Tetracaine, a local anesthetic, has been linked to methemoglobinemia, and quinine has also been reported to cause it rarely. Combined use could add to the risk, although it mainly matters with extensive mucosal application.
What this interaction means in plain words
Quinine and Tetracaine 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; Tetracaine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive oxidative stress on hemoglobin, which promotes methemoglobin formation.
What to do
Monitor for cyanosis, dyspnea and low pulse oximetry readings. Treat with methylene blue if symptomatic methemoglobinemia develops.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Quinine and Tetracaine, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Tetracaine
- Chloroquine + Tetracaine Moderate
- Dapsone + Tetracaine Moderate
- Isosorbide dinitrate + Tetracaine Moderate
- Isosorbide mononitrate + Tetracaine Moderate
- Nitrofurantoin + Tetracaine Moderate
- Nitroglycerin + Tetracaine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Quinine with Tetracaine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Quinine and Tetracaine 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. Tetracaine, a local anesthetic, has been linked to methemoglobinemia, and quinine has also been reported to cause it rarely. Combined use could add to the risk, although it mainly matters with extensive mucosal application.
How serious is the interaction between Quinine and Tetracaine?
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 for cyanosis, dyspnea and low pulse oximetry readings. Treat with methylene blue if symptomatic methemoglobinemia develops.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
