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Can you take Benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical with Chloroquine?

1 drug interaction and 19 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:

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Drug interactions

Moderate drug interactions

Moderate:

chloroquine lidocaine topical

Applies to: chloroquine and benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical

Some of the medication in lidocaine topical may be absorbed into the bloodstream following local application. When present in sufficient concentrations in the blood, local anesthetics such as lidocaine topical may cause methemoglobinemia, a rare condition that can lead to oxygen deprivation in tissues and vital organs due to reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. The risk is increased when combined with other medications that can also induce methemoglobinemia such as chloroquine. Individuals may be more susceptible to developing methemoglobinemia during treatment with these medications if they are very young (especially neonates and infants) or have anemia, diseases of the heart or lungs, blood circulation disorders, liver cirrhosis, shock, sepsis, and certain genetic predispositions such as NADH cytochrome-b5 reductase deficiency, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, and hemoglobin M. In addition, use of topical anesthetics on inflamed or abraded areas or broken skin, as well as excessive use such as application of large doses or on larger than recommended areas, can increase absorption and result in high blood levels of the medication. Topical anesthetics that are applied to mucous membranes such as inside the mouth, nose, or throat (e.G., for sore throat; for numbing prior to dental procedures or scoping of the lungs or gastrointestinal tract) may also be absorbed to a significant extent. Close medical supervision is necessary when medications that can cause methemoglobinemia are used together. Do not exceed the recommended dose or frequency and duration of use when treated with products that contain local anesthetics, including some over-the-counter preparations. Signs and symptoms of methemoglobinemia may be delayed by several hours after treatment with topical anesthetics. Patients (or their caregivers) should seek immediate medical attention if they develop a gray discoloration of the skin, mouth, or nail bed; nausea; headache; dizziness; lightheadedness; fatigue; shortness of breath; rapid or shallow breathing; a rapid heartbeat; palpitation; anxiety; or confusion. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate:

chloroquine Food/Lifestyle

Applies to: chloroquine

You may want to limit your consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment with chloroquine. Grapefruit juice can significantly increase the blood levels and effects of chloroquine, which may result in an irregular heart rate or other conduction disturbances. Hydroxychloroquine should also be taken with food or milk to reduce the incidence of stomach upset. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, shortness of breath, or heart palpitations during treatment with chloroquine. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Minor food/lifestyle interactions

Minor:

lidocaine topical Food/Lifestyle

Applies to: benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical

Information for this minor interaction is available on the professional version.

Disease interactions

17 potential interactions Applies to: 15 conditions, including Seizures, Arrhythmia, Psoriasis, Myasthenia Gravis, and Hearing Loss.

Alcoholism

Moderate:

chloroquine

Chloroquine has a moderate potential interaction with Alcoholism.

Aminoquinolines may concentrate in the liver. Isolated cases of abnormal liver function and fulminant hepatic failure have been reported. Therapy with aminoquinolines should be administered cautiously in patients with hepatic disease or alcoholism and in patients receiving other hepatotoxic drugs. Periodic evaluation of hepatic function should be performed during prolonged therapy.

Arrhythmia

Moderate:

chloroquine

Chloroquine has a moderate potential interaction with Arrhythmia.

The use of 4-aminoquinolines such as hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine prolong the QT interval. Ventricular arrhythmias and torsades de pointes have been reported in patients taking these agents. Care should be exercised in patients with a prolonged QT interval at baseline or at increased risk for arrythmia. A baseline electrocardiogram should be obtained to assess for QT interval prolongation and other abnormalities. It is recommended to use appropriate diagnostic tools such as ECG to monitor patients during therapy.

Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts

Moderate:

chloroquine

Chloroquine has a moderate potential interaction with Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts.

Adverse hematologic effects including neutropenia, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, and thrombocytopenia have been rarely associated with 4-aminoquinolines. Therapy with 4-aminoquinolines should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting bone marrow suppression. A complete blood count should be performed periodically in patients on prolonged therapy. If any severe blood disorder appears which is not attributable to the disease under treatment, discontinuance of the drug should be considered.

G-6-PD Deficiency

Moderate:

chloroquine

Chloroquine has a moderate potential interaction with G-6-PD Deficiency.

Hemolysis and acute renal failure have been reported during use of aminoquinolines in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency. Therapy with aminoquinolines should be administered cautiously in these patients. Blood cell counts and hemoglobin determinations should be performed regularly. Aminoquinoline therapy should be discontinued immediately if signs suggestive of hemolytic anemia occur, such as marked darkening of the urine or sudden decrease in hemoglobin concentration or erythrocytic count.

Hearing Loss

Moderate:

chloroquine

Chloroquine has a moderate potential interaction with Hearing Loss.

The use of 4-aminoquinolines has been associated rarely with ototoxicity. Nerve-type deafness, which is usually irreversible, has occurred during long-term, high-dose therapy. Deafness may not be apparent until several weeks after 4-aminoquinoline therapy. Tinnitus and reduced hearing have been reported in patients with preexisting auditory damage. Therapy with 4-aminoquinolines should be administered cautiously in such patients. If new auditory defects develop or if hearing loss becomes worse, therapy should be immediately discontinued and the patient closely monitored.

Heart Block

Major:

benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical

The lidocaine topical in benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical has a major potential interaction with Heart Block.

Lidocaine is absorbed through intact skin and mucosal membranes following topical administration. Prolonged exposure, large doses, frequent applications and/or use on compromised skin or mucosa can produce systemic effects. At high plasma levels, lidocaine can cause hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiovascular collapse. Therapy with lidocaine topical should be administered cautiously in patients with shock, sinus bradyarrhythmia, or severe heart block. The recommended dosage should not be exceeded. Children and debilitated, elderly, or acutely ill patients should be given reduced dosages commensurate with their age, weight, and physical condition.

Liver Disease

Major:

benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical

The lidocaine topical in benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Lidocaine topical is absorbed through intact skin and mucosal membranes. Prolonged exposure, large doses, and/or application to compromised skin or mucosa can result in elevated plasma concentrations of lidocaine. Lidocaine is rapidly and extensively metabolized by the liver. Less than 10% is eliminated unchanged in the urine. Several inactive and two active forms (MEGX and GX) have been identified. MEGX and GX exhibit antiarrhythmic and convulsant properties. The pharmacokinetic disposition of lidocaine is altered by changes in hepatic function, including hepatic blood flow. Therapy with lidocaine topical should be administered cautiously and dosing modified for patients with compromised hepatic function.

Moderate:

chloroquine

Chloroquine has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Aminoquinolines may concentrate in the liver. Isolated cases of abnormal liver function and fulminant hepatic failure have been reported. Therapy with aminoquinolines should be administered cautiously in patients with hepatic disease or alcoholism and in patients receiving other hepatotoxic drugs. Periodic evaluation of hepatic function should be performed during prolonged therapy.

Myasthenia Gravis

Moderate:

chloroquine

Chloroquine has a moderate potential interaction with Myasthenia Gravis.

Certain aminoquinolines such as chloroquine, and hydroxychloroquine should be used with caution in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). These agents may exacerbate or trigger new onset of symptoms in patients with previously diagnosed MG. It is recommended to advise patients with MG about this possible side effect.

Porphyria

Major:

chloroquine

Chloroquine has a major potential interaction with Porphyria.

The use of aminoquinolines in patients with porphyria may exacerbate the condition. Aminoquinolines should not be used in these patients unless the potential benefits are anticipated to outweigh the risks.

Psoriasis

Moderate:

chloroquine

Chloroquine has a moderate potential interaction with Psoriasis.

The use of aminoquinolines in patients with psoriasis may precipitate a severe attack of psoriasis. Aminoquinolines should not be used in these patients unless the potential benefits are anticipated to outweigh the risks.

Renal Dysfunction

Major:

benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical

The lidocaine topical in benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical has a major potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Lidocaine topical is absorbed through intact skin and mucosal membranes. Prolonged exposure, large doses, and/or application to compromised skin or mucosa can result in elevated plasma concentrations of lidocaine. Lidocaine is primarily eliminated by the kidney. Less than 10% is eliminated unchanged in the urine. Two active metabolites (MEGX and GX) have been identified that exhibit antiarrhythmic and convulsant properties. Serum concentrations of lidocaine and the active metabolites are increased and the half-life prolonged in patients with renal impairment. Therapy with lidocaine topical should be administered cautiously and dosing modified for repeated doses in patients with compromised renal function.

Retinal Disorders

Major:

chloroquine

Chloroquine has a major potential interaction with Retinal Disorders.

The use of 4-aminoquinolines is generally considered contraindicated in the presence of retinal or visual field changes, whether attributable to 4-aminoquinoline compounds or to any other etiology. However, in the treatment of acute attacks of malaria caused by susceptible strains of plasmodia, these agents may be considered if potential benefits are anticipated to outweigh the risks. 4-aminoquinolines are oculotoxic and can cause dose-related, irreversible retinal damage and vision loss during and up to several years after long-term or high-dose therapy (e.g., in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis). Ophthalmologic monitoring, including visual acuity, expert slit-lamp, funduscopic, and visual field tests, is recommended at baseline and every three months during prolonged use. Therapy should be discontinued immediately if abnormalities develop in visual acuity, visual field, or retinal macular areas (e.g., pigmentary changes, loss of foveal reflex), or if the patient experiences visual symptoms such as light flashes and streaks that are not fully explainable by difficulties of accommodation or corneal opacities. Other common symptoms that may indicate retinopathy include nyctalopia, photophobia, blurred distance vision, difficulty reading or seeing (e.g., words or letters disappearing or parts of objects missing; misty vision; fog before the eyes), and missing or blacked out areas in the central or peripheral visual field. Retinal changes and visual disturbances may progress even after cessation of therapy. However, in a number of patients, early retinopathy (macular pigmentation sometimes with central field defects) diminished or regressed completely after therapy was discontinued. Paracentral scotoma to red targets, sometimes termed premaculopathy, is indicative of early retinal dysfunction and is usually reversible with cessation of therapy.

Seizures

Major:

benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical

The lidocaine topical in benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical has a major potential interaction with Seizures.

Lidocaine topical is absorbed through intact skin and mucosal membranes. Prolonged exposure, large doses, and/or application to compromised skin or mucosa can result in elevated plasma concentrations of lidocaine. Seizures can occur as a result of accumulation of active metabolites. Therapy with lidocaine topical should be administered cautiously to patients with or predisposed to seizure disorders.

Moderate:

chloroquine

Chloroquine has a moderate potential interaction with Seizures.

4-aminoquinolines may cause epileptic seizures in susceptible individuals. Patients with epilepsy or an otherwise low seizure threshold may be at greater risk. Therapy with 4-aminoquinolines, particularly chloroquine, should be administered cautiously in patients with epilepsy.

Shock

Major:

benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical

The lidocaine topical in benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical has a major potential interaction with Shock.

Lidocaine is absorbed through intact skin and mucosal membranes following topical administration. Prolonged exposure, large doses, frequent applications and/or use on compromised skin or mucosa can produce systemic effects. At high plasma levels, lidocaine can cause hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiovascular collapse. Therapy with lidocaine topical should be administered cautiously in patients with shock, sinus bradyarrhythmia, or severe heart block. The recommended dosage should not be exceeded. Children and debilitated, elderly, or acutely ill patients should be given reduced dosages commensurate with their age, weight, and physical condition.

Teething Syndrome

Major:

benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical

The lidocaine topical in benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical has a major potential interaction with Teething Syndrome.

Topical lidocaine is not recommended to be used in teething infants and young children, as its ingestion is dangerous and potentially fatal. Ingestion of the drug has shown to result in seizures, severe brain injury, and heart problems in children.

More resources

benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical

A total of 122 drugs are known to interact with benzethonium chloride / lidocaine topical.

chloroquine

A total of 553 drugs are known to interact with chloroquine.

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.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.