What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Quinine and succinylcholine
Quinine's FDA label of November 9, 2023 names succinylcholine in its drug interactions (prescription label) section, and succinylcholine's label names quinine too. The succinylcholine label: “… procainamide, lidocaine, trimethaphan, lithium carbonate, magnesium salts, quinine, chloroquine, isoflurane, desflurane, metoclopramide, terbutaline, and drugs that reduce plasma cholinesterase activity.”
Check it at the source: the quinine FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 9, 2023); the succinylcholine FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 18, 2026, Hospira, Inc.).
What does the quinine label say about succinylcholine?
Quinine label, drug interactions (prescription label)Neuromuscular Blocking Agents (Pancuronium, Succinylcholine, Tubocurarine) In one report, quinine potentiated neuromuscular blockade in a patient who received pancuronium during an operative procedure, and subsequently (3 hours after receiving pancuronium) received quinine 1800 mg daily.
Quinine label, warnings and precautions (prescription label)Although there are no clinical reports with succinylcholine or tubocurarine, quinine may also potentiate neuromuscular blockade when used with these drugs [see DRUG INTERACTIONS ( 7.2 )].
Source: FDA drug label (Chininum sulphuricum), Boiron, effective November 9, 2023 (SPL set 33885950-2a55-11e7-8288-424c58303031), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the succinylcholine label say about quinine?
Succinylcholine label, drug interactionsDRUG INTERACTIONS Drugs that May Enhance the Neuromuscular Blocking Action of Succinylcholine: promazine, oxytocin, aprotinin, certain non-penicillin antibiotics, quinidine, β-adrenergic blockers, procainamide, lidocaine, trimethaphan, lithium carbonate, magnesium salts, quinine, chloroquine, isoflurane, desflurane, metoclopramide, terbutaline, and drugs that reduce plasma cholinesterase activity.
Source: FDA drug label (QUELICIN), Hospira, Inc., effective August 18, 2026 (SPL set fb08161e-7711-406d-e7b3-ea4515c07983), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Quinine | Succinylcholine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | n/a | n/a |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.698 per capsule 324 mg capsule | n/a |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once