Possible Interaction: Quinine and Azithromycin

“Our in vitro data confirm that azithromycin in combination with artemisinin derivatives or quinine exerts additive to synergistic interactions, shows no cross-sensitivity with traditional antimalarials, and has substantial antimalarial activity on its own.”

“With overall mean fractional inhibitory concentrations of 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.77 to 1.08) and 0.78 (95% CI = 0.72 to 0.98), the interactions between azithromycin and dihydroartemisinin, as well as quinine , were classified as additive, with a tendency toward synergism.”

“These results suggest that azithromycin plus quinine should be considered as an alternative therapy for human babesiosis, especially in the failure of treatment with standard regimens.”

“The efficacy of fast-acting blood schizonticides quinine , halofantrine, artemisinin) against P. berghei was augmented by azithromycin.”

“ Quinine , tafenoquine, and primaquine were additive to synergistic with azithromycin , while dihydroartemisinin was additive with a trend toward antagonism.”

“1] However, randomized studies conducted atMahidol University Hospital (Bangkok, Thailand) in 2005 concluded that azithromycin is not efficient as a single agent, but that quinine , tafenoquine, artesunate and/or primaquine have additive, synergistic qualities when used with azithromycin.”