Efavirenz and Quinine interaction
Efavirenz and Quinine: both prescribing labels describe an interaction that usually calls for monitoring, a dose change, or spacing the doses.
Usually manageable with monitoring or a dose change. Tell your pharmacist you take both.
What the FDA labels say
From the Efavirenz label · effective 2024-03-31
QT Prolonging Drugs There is limited information available on the potential for a pharmacodynamic interaction between efavirenz and drugs that prolong the QTc interval.
Antimalarials: Artemether/lumefantrine Atovaquone/ proguanil ↓ artemether * ↓ dihydroartemisinin * ↓ lumefantrine * ↓ atovaquone ↓ proguanil Consider alternatives to artemether/ lumefantrine because of the risk of QT interval prolongation.
From the Quinine (QUININE SULFATE) label · effective 2025-10-31
Although a causal relationship between a specific drug and the arrhythmia was not established in this case, erythromycin is a CYP3A4 inhibitor and has been shown to increase quinine plasma levels when used concomitantly.
Antiepileptics (AEDs) (Carbamazepine, Phenobarbital, and Phenytoin) Carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin are CYP3A4 inducers and may decrease quinine plasma concentrations if used concurrently with quinine sulfate.
Ketoconazole (CYP3A4 Inhibitor) In a crossover study, healthy subjects (N=9) who received a single oral dose of quinine hydrochloride (500 mg) concomitantly with ketoconazole (100 mg twice daily for 3 days) had a mean quinine AUC that was higher by 45% and a mean oral clearance of quinine that was 31% lower than after receiving quinine alone.
Macrolide Antibiotics (Erythromycin, Troleandomycin) (CYP3A4 Inhibitors) In a crossover study (N=10), healthy subjects who received a single oral 600 mg dose of quinine sulfate with the macrolide antibiotic, troleandomycin (500 mg every 8 hours) exhibited a 87% higher mean quinine AUC, a 45% lower mean oral clearance of quinine, and a 81% lower formation clearance…
CYP3A4 inducers or inhibitors Alteration in plasma quinine concentration.
Taking more than these two? Interactions stack. Check your whole list at once; it stays in your browser.
Open in the checkerNot medical advice. Interaction Checker quotes FDA label text and NIH fact sheets. Whether an interaction matters for you depends on doses, timing, kidney and liver function, and other conditions. Confirm with a pharmacist or prescriber.