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Drug Interactions between chloroquine and methadone

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

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Interactions between your drugs

Major

chloroquine methadone

Applies to: chloroquine and methadone

GENERALLY AVOID: Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine can cause dose-related prolongation of the QT interval. Theoretically, coadministration with other agents that can prolong the QT interval may result in additive effects and increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsade de pointes and sudden death. In general, the risk of an individual agent or a combination of agents causing ventricular arrhythmia in association with QT prolongation is largely unpredictable but may be increased by certain underlying risk factors such advanced age, congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac disease, and electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia). In addition, the extent of drug-induced QT prolongation is dependent on the particular drug(s) involved and dosage(s) of the drug(s). Currently available data seem to suggest a significantly higher risk of QTc prolongation (>= 60 msec increase from baseline or absolute QTc >=500 msec ) in COVID-19 patients treated with hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine, with or without azithromycin, than has been previously reported in other settings. Because COVID-19 may disproportionately affect the elderly and individuals with preexisting heart disease, and cardiac complications such as myocarditis and cardiomyopathy as well as organ failure may occur in patients with severe COVID-19, it appears likely that hospitalized patients with COVID-19 may represent a particularly susceptible and high-risk population, and other, less critically ill patients may not have the same arrhythmic risk.

MANAGEMENT: Coadministration of chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine with other drugs that can prolong the QT interval should generally be avoided, particularly in patients with baseline QT prolongation (e.g., QTc >=500 msec) or congenital long QT syndrome. Close monitoring of QTc interval, electrolyte levels, and renal and hepatic function is recommended if concomitant use is required and benefits are anticipated to outweigh the risks. Electrolyte abnormalities should be corrected prior to initiating treatment with chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine. Patients should be advised to seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or syncope. Because chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are eliminated slowly from the body, the potential for drug interactions should be observed for a prolonged period following their discontinuation.

References

  1. (2022) "Product Information. Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine)." Apothecon Inc
  2. (2005) "Product Information. Chloroquine Phosphate (chloroquine)." West Ward Pharmaceutical Corporation
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  4. (2017) "Product Information. Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate (hydroxychloroquine)." Prasco Laboratories
  5. US Food and Drug Administration (2020) Hydroxychloroquine or Chloroquine for COVID-19: Drug Safety Communication - FDA Cautions Against Use Outside of the Hospital Setting or a Clinical Trial Due to Risk of Heart Rhythm Problems. https://www.fda.gov/safety/medical-product-safety-information/h
  6. US Food and Drug Administration (2020) FACT SHEET FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION (EUA) OF HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE SULFATE SUPPLIED FROM THE STRATEGIC NATIONAL STOCKPILE FOR TREATMENT OF COVID-19 IN CERTAIN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS. https://www.fda.gov/media/136537/download
  7. US Food and Drug Administration (2020) FACT SHEET FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION (EUA) OF CHLOROQUINE PHOSPHATE SUPPLIED FROM THE STRATEGIC NATIONAL STOCKPILE FOR TREATMENT OF COVID-19 IN CERTAIN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS. https://www.fda.gov/media/136535/download
  8. National Institutes of Health (NIH) (2020) Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Treatment Guidelines. https://covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/
  9. Mercuro NJ, Yen CF, Shim DJ, et al. (2020) "Risk of QT interval prolongation associated with the use of hydroxychloroquine with or without concomitant azithromycin among hospitalized patients testing positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)" JAMA Cardiol, May 1:e201834, epub ahead of print
  10. Bonow RO, Hernandez AF, Turakhia M (2020) "Hydroxychloroquine, coronavirus disease 2019, and QT prolongation." JAMA Cardiol, May 1, epub ahead of print
  11. Bessiere F, Roccia H, Deliniere A, et al. (2020) "Assessment of QT intervals in a case series of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection treated with hydroxychloroquine alone or in combination with azithromycin in an intensive care unit." JAMA Cardiol, May 1, epub ahead of print
  12. Saleh M, Gabriels J, ChangD, et al. (2020) "The effect of chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin on the corrected QT interval in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection." Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol, Apr 29, epub ahead of print
  13. Javelot H, El-Hage W, Meyer G, Becker G, Michel B, Hingray C (2020) "COVID-19 and (hydroxy)chloroquine-azithromycin combination: should we take the risk for our patients?" Br J Clin Pharmacol, Apr 29, epub ahead of print
  14. Sacher F, Fauchier L, Boveda S, et al. (2020) "Use of drugs with potential cardiac effect in the setting of SARS-CoV-2 infection." Arch Cardiovasc Dis, Apr 24, epub ahead of print
  15. Smit C, Peeters MYM, van den Anker JN, Knibbe CAJ (2020) "Chloroquine for SARS-CoV-2: Implications of its unique pharmacokinetic and safety properties." Clin Pharmacokinet, Ar 18, epub ahead of print
  16. Roden DM, Harrington RA, Poppas A, Russo AM (2020) "Considerations for drug interactions on QTc in exploratory COVID-19 (Coroanvirus disease 2019) treatment." Heart Rhythm, Apr 14, epub ahead of print
  17. Sapp JL, Alqarawi W, MacIntyre CJ, et al. (2020) "Guidance on minimizing risk of drug-induced ventricular arrhythmia during treatment of COVID-19: A statement from the Canadian Heart Rhythm Society." Can J Cardiol, Apr 8, epub ahead of print
  18. Kapoor A, Pandurangi U, Arora V, et al. (2020) "Cardiovascular risks of hydroxychloroquine in treatment and prophylaxis of COVID-19 patients: A scientific statement from the Indian Heart Rhythm Society." Indian Pacing Electorphysiol J, Apr 8, epub ahead of print
  19. Giudicessi JR, Noseworthy PA, Friedman PA, Ackerman MJ (2020) "Urgent guidance for navigating and circumventing the QTc-prolonging and torsadogenic potential of possible pharmacotherapies for coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19)" Mayo Clin Proc, Apr 7, epub ahead of print
  20. Borba MGS, Val FFA, Sampaio VS, et al. (2020) "Effect of high vs low doses of chloroquine diphosphate as adjunctive therapy for patients hospitalized with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 1 (SARS-CoV-2) infection: A randomized clinical trial." JAMA Netw Open, Apr 1, epub ahead of print
  21. mitra RL, Greenstein SA, Epstein lm (2020) "An algorithm for managing QT prolongation in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients treated with either chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine in conjunction with azithromycin; Possible benefits of intravenous lidocaine." HeartRythm Case Rep, Apr 1, epub ahead of print
View all 21 references

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

chloroquine food

Applies to: chloroquine

GENERALLY AVOID: Theoretically, grapefruit and grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine and the risk of toxicities such as QT interval prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall induced by certain compounds present in grapefruit. Following coadministration with cimetidine, a weak to moderate CYP450 3A4 inhibitor, a 2-fold increase in chloroquine exposure occurred. Since chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine have similar structures and metabolic elimination pathways, a similar interaction may be observed with hydroxychloroquine. In general, the effect of grapefruit juice is concentration-, dose- and preparation-dependent, and can vary widely among brands. Certain preparations of grapefruit juice (e.g., high dose, double strength) have sometimes demonstrated potent inhibition of CYP450 3A4, while other preparations (e.g., low dose, single strength) have typically demonstrated moderate inhibition. Pharmacokinetic interactions involving grapefruit juice are also subject to a high degree of interpatient variability, thus the extent to which a given patient may be affected is difficult to predict.

MANAGEMENT: Although clinical data are lacking, it may be advisable to avoid the consumption of grapefruit, grapefruit juice, and any supplement containing grapefruit extract during hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine therapy.

References

  1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."

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Moderate

methadone food

Applies to: methadone

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of methadone. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. In 8 study subjects stabilized on methadone maintenance treatment, ingestion of regular strength grapefruit juice (200 mL one-half hour before and 200 mL simultaneously with the daily methadone dose) for five days resulted in an approximately 17% mean increase in methadone peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) and a 14% mean decrease in apparent clearance for both the R(+) and S(-) enantiomers. Grapefruit juice did not affect the time to peak level (Tmax), terminal half-life, or apparent volume of distribution of methadone. No signs or symptoms of methadone toxicity or changes in intensity of withdrawal symptoms were reported in the study.

MANAGEMENT: Given the interindividual variability in the pharmacokinetics of methadone, a more significant interaction with grapefruit juice in certain patients cannot be ruled out. Patients treated with methadone should preferably avoid or limit the consumption of grapefruit juice, particularly during the induction of maintenance treatment.

References

  1. Iribarne C, Berthou F, Baird S, Dreano Y, Picart D, Bail JP, Beaune P, Menez JF (1996) "Involvement of cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme in the N-demethylation of methadone in human liver microsomes." Chem Res Toxicol, 9, p. 365-73
  2. Oda Y, Kharasch ED (2001) "Metabolism of methadone and levo-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM) by human intestinal cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4): potential contribution of intestinal metabolism to presystemic clearance and bioactivation." J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 298, p. 1021-32
  3. Benmebarek M, Devaud C, Gex-Fabry M, et al. (2004) "Effects of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of the enantiomers of methadone." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 76, p. 55-63
  4. Foster DJ, Somogyi AA, Bochner F (1999) "Methadone N-demethylation in human liver microsomes: lack of stereoselectivity and involvement of CYP3A4." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 47, p. 403-12
View all 4 references

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Moderate

methadone food

Applies to: methadone

GENERALLY AVOID: Ethanol may potentiate the central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects of opioid analgesics. Concomitant use may result in additive CNS depression and impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills. In more severe cases, hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, or even death may occur.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of opioid analgesics with ethanol should be avoided.

References

  1. Linnoila M, Hakkinen S (1974) "Effects of diazepam and codeine, alone and in combination with alcohol, on simulated driving." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 15, p. 368-73
  2. Sturner WQ, Garriott JC (1973) "Deaths involving propoxyphene: a study of 41 cases over a two-year period." JAMA, 223, p. 1125-30
  3. Girre C, Hirschhorn M, Bertaux L, et al. (1991) "Enhancement of propoxyphene bioavailability by ethanol: relation to psychomotor and cognitive function in healthy volunteers." Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 41, p. 147-52
  4. Levine B, Saady J, Fierro M, Valentour J (1984) "A hydromorphone and ethanol fatality." J Forensic Sci, 29, p. 655-9
  5. Sellers EM, Hamilton CA, Kaplan HL, Degani NC, Foltz RL (1985) "Pharmacokinetic interaction of propoxyphene with ethanol." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 19, p. 398-401
  6. Carson DJ (1977) "Fatal dextropropoxyphene poisoning in Northern Ireland. Review of 30 cases." Lancet, 1, p. 894-7
  7. Rosser WW (1980) "The interaction of propoxyphene with other drugs." Can Med Assoc J, 122, p. 149-50
  8. Edwards C, Gard PR, Handley SL, Hunter M, Whittington RM (1982) "Distalgesic and ethanol-impaired function." Lancet, 2, p. 384
  9. Kiplinger GF, Sokol G, Rodda BE (1974) "Effect of combined alcohol and propoxyphene on human performance." Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther, 212, p. 175-80
View all 9 references

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Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.

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Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

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