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Can you take Epirubicin with Tykerb?

1 drug interaction and 24 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:

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Drug interactions

Moderate drug interactions

Moderate:

epiRUBicin lapatinib

Applies to: epirubicin and Tykerb (lapatinib)

Using epiRUBicin together with lapatinib can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances (for example, magnesium or potassium loss due to severe or prolonged diarrhea or vomiting). 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 these medications, whether together or alone. 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:

lapatinib Food/Lifestyle

Applies to: Tykerb (lapatinib)

Take lapatinib on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 1 hour after a meal unless otherwise directed by your doctor. This will make it easier for your body to absorb the medication. The lapatinib dose is administered once daily and should not be divided. The usual dose of lapatinib is equal to 5 tablets. You may swallow each tablet one at a time, but take the entire lapatinib dose at the same time each day. If you are receiving therapy with lapatinib you should be advised to avoid grapefruits and grapefruit juice. Grapefruit can raise the levels of lapatinib in your body and lead to dangerous side effects.

Disease interactions

23 potential interactions Applies to: 16 conditions, including High Blood Pressure, Heart Failure, Heart Attack, Arrhythmia, and Fever.

Arrhythmia

Major:

Tykerb

The lapatinib in Tykerb has a major potential interaction with Arrhythmia.

QT prolongation was observed in patients treated with certain EGFR inhibitors. These agents should be administered with caution in patients with congenital long QTc syndrome, congestive heart failure, electrolyte abnormalities, or those who are taking medications known to prolong the QTc interval. Serum electrolytes should be corrected prior to initiating therapy with these agents. Periodic monitoring of ECGs and electrolytes is recommended in these patients. Permanently discontinue the use of these agents in patients who develop QTc interval prolongation with signs/symptoms of life-threatening arrhythmia.

Moderate:

Tykerb

The lapatinib in Tykerb has a moderate potential interaction with Arrhythmia.

Decreases in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) have been reported with agents that block HER2 activity. Patients who have received prior anthracyclines, those who received anthracycline after stopping therapy with agents that block HER2 activity, or patients who received prior radiotherapy to the chest area may be at higher risk of decreased LVEF. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously in patients with a previous history of heart conditions. Evaluate cardiac function before, during, and upon completion of treatment. Withhold or discontinue therapy with agents that block HER2 activity as appropriate, and for a confirmed clinically significant decrease in left ventricular function, or if the LVEF has not improved or has declined further. It is recommended to monitor overall cardiac function and LVEF by echocardiogram or MUGA scan as appropriate.

Dermatitis, Drug-Induced

Major:

Tykerb

The lapatinib in Tykerb has a major potential interaction with Dermatitis, Drug-Induced.

Cutaneous reactions, in some cases severe, have been reported with the use of EGFR inhibitors. Monitor patients who develop dermatologic or soft tissue toxicities while receiving these agents for the development of inflammatory or infectious sequelae. It is recommended to withhold treatment, and appropriate measures should be instituted as appropriate or discontinue the use of these agents for dermatologic or soft tissue toxicity associated with severe or life-threatening inflammatory or infectious complications. Advise patients to wear sunscreen and hats and limit sun exposure while receiving therapy with these agents as exposure to sunlight can exacerbate dermatologic toxicities.

Fever

Major:

Tykerb

The lapatinib in Tykerb has a major potential interaction with Fever.

The use of certain EGFR inhibitors has been associated with pulmonary toxicity. Serious cases of interstitial lung disease (ILD), including fatal cases and interstitial pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis have been reported. Caution is recommended when using these agents in patients with a history of interstitial pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis or those patients presenting with acute onset of new or progressive unexplained pulmonary symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and fever pending diagnostic evaluation. If ILD is confirmed, permanently discontinue these agents and institute appropriate measures.

Heart Attack

Moderate:

Tykerb

The lapatinib in Tykerb has a moderate potential interaction with Heart Attack.

Decreases in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) have been reported with agents that block HER2 activity. Patients who have received prior anthracyclines, those who received anthracycline after stopping therapy with agents that block HER2 activity, or patients who received prior radiotherapy to the chest area may be at higher risk of decreased LVEF. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously in patients with a previous history of heart conditions. Evaluate cardiac function before, during, and upon completion of treatment. Withhold or discontinue therapy with agents that block HER2 activity as appropriate, and for a confirmed clinically significant decrease in left ventricular function, or if the LVEF has not improved or has declined further. It is recommended to monitor overall cardiac function and LVEF by echocardiogram or MUGA scan as appropriate.

Heart Disease

Major:

epirubicin

epiRUBicin has a major potential interaction with Heart Disease.

The use of epirubicin is contraindicated in patients with severe myocardial insufficiency, recent myocardial infarction, and severe arrhythmias. Myocardial toxicity, manifested in its most severe form by potentially fatal congestive heart failure (CHF), may occur either during therapy with epirubicin or months to years after termination of therapy. Risk factors may increase the risk of cardiac toxicity. Cardiac toxicity with epirubicin may occur at lower cumulative doses whether or not cardiac risk factors are present, so extreme caution is advised. Initial treatment with epirubicin should be preceded by a careful baseline assessment of cardiac function as measured by left ventricular ejection function (LVEF). Close cardiac monitoring during treatment is suggested.

Heart Failure

Major:

Tykerb

The lapatinib in Tykerb has a major potential interaction with Heart Failure.

QT prolongation was observed in patients treated with certain EGFR inhibitors. These agents should be administered with caution in patients with congenital long QTc syndrome, congestive heart failure, electrolyte abnormalities, or those who are taking medications known to prolong the QTc interval. Serum electrolytes should be corrected prior to initiating therapy with these agents. Periodic monitoring of ECGs and electrolytes is recommended in these patients. Permanently discontinue the use of these agents in patients who develop QTc interval prolongation with signs/symptoms of life-threatening arrhythmia.

Moderate:

Tykerb

The lapatinib in Tykerb has a moderate potential interaction with Heart Failure.

Decreases in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) have been reported with agents that block HER2 activity. Patients who have received prior anthracyclines, those who received anthracycline after stopping therapy with agents that block HER2 activity, or patients who received prior radiotherapy to the chest area may be at higher risk of decreased LVEF. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously in patients with a previous history of heart conditions. Evaluate cardiac function before, during, and upon completion of treatment. Withhold or discontinue therapy with agents that block HER2 activity as appropriate, and for a confirmed clinically significant decrease in left ventricular function, or if the LVEF has not improved or has declined further. It is recommended to monitor overall cardiac function and LVEF by echocardiogram or MUGA scan as appropriate.

High Blood Pressure

Moderate:

Tykerb

The lapatinib in Tykerb has a moderate potential interaction with High Blood Pressure.

Decreases in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) have been reported with agents that block HER2 activity. Patients who have received prior anthracyclines, those who received anthracycline after stopping therapy with agents that block HER2 activity, or patients who received prior radiotherapy to the chest area may be at higher risk of decreased LVEF. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously in patients with a previous history of heart conditions. Evaluate cardiac function before, during, and upon completion of treatment. Withhold or discontinue therapy with agents that block HER2 activity as appropriate, and for a confirmed clinically significant decrease in left ventricular function, or if the LVEF has not improved or has declined further. It is recommended to monitor overall cardiac function and LVEF by echocardiogram or MUGA scan as appropriate.

History - Myocardial Infarction

Major:

epirubicin

epiRUBicin has a major potential interaction with History - Myocardial Infarction.

The use of epirubicin is contraindicated in patients with severe myocardial insufficiency, recent myocardial infarction, and severe arrhythmias. Myocardial toxicity, manifested in its most severe form by potentially fatal congestive heart failure (CHF), may occur either during therapy with epirubicin or months to years after termination of therapy. Risk factors may increase the risk of cardiac toxicity. Cardiac toxicity with epirubicin may occur at lower cumulative doses whether or not cardiac risk factors are present, so extreme caution is advised. Initial treatment with epirubicin should be preceded by a careful baseline assessment of cardiac function as measured by left ventricular ejection function (LVEF). Close cardiac monitoring during treatment is suggested.

Moderate:

Tykerb

The lapatinib in Tykerb has a moderate potential interaction with History - Myocardial Infarction.

Decreases in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) have been reported with agents that block HER2 activity. Patients who have received prior anthracyclines, those who received anthracycline after stopping therapy with agents that block HER2 activity, or patients who received prior radiotherapy to the chest area may be at higher risk of decreased LVEF. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously in patients with a previous history of heart conditions. Evaluate cardiac function before, during, and upon completion of treatment. Withhold or discontinue therapy with agents that block HER2 activity as appropriate, and for a confirmed clinically significant decrease in left ventricular function, or if the LVEF has not improved or has declined further. It is recommended to monitor overall cardiac function and LVEF by echocardiogram or MUGA scan as appropriate.

Infection

Moderate:

epirubicin

epiRUBicin has a moderate potential interaction with Infection.

Before beginning treatment with epirubicin, patients should recover from any acute toxicities, such as stomatitis, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and generalized infections, of prior cytotoxic treatment.

Liver Disease

Major:

epirubicin

epiRUBicin has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Patients with severe hepatic dysfunction should not be treated with epirubicin. The major route of elimination of epirubicin is the hepatobiliary system. Serum total bilirubin and AST levels should be evaluated before and during treatment with epirubicin. Patients with elevated bilirubin or AST may experience slower clearance of drug with an increase in overall toxicity. Lower doses are recommended in these patients.

Major:

Tykerb

The lapatinib in Tykerb has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Lapatinib undergoes extensive metabolism in the liver. Hepatotoxicity has been associated with the use of lapatinib and it may be severe and fatal. The hepatotoxicity may occur days to several months after initiation of treatment. Therapy with lapatinib should be administered cautiously in patients with severe hepatic impairment and a dose reduction should be considered for patients with severe pre-existing hepatic impairment. Clinical monitoring of hepatic function (transaminases, bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase) is recommended before initiation of treatment, every 4 to 6 weeks during treatment, and as clinically indicated. In patients who develop severe hepatotoxicity while on therapy, lapatinib should be discontinued and patients should not be retreated.

Neutropenia

Major:

epirubicin

epiRUBicin has a major potential interaction with Neutropenia.

Patients should not be treated with epirubicin if they have a baseline neutrophil count < 1500 cells/mm3. A dose-dependent, reversible leukopenia and/or neutropenia is the predominant manifestation of hematologic toxicity associated with epirubicin and represents the most common acute dose-limiting toxicity of this drug. Myelosuppression requires careful monitoring. Total and differential WBC, red blood cell (RBC), and platelet counts should be assessed before and during each cycle of therapy with epirubicin.

Post MI Syndrome

Moderate:

Tykerb

The lapatinib in Tykerb has a moderate potential interaction with Post MI Syndrome.

Decreases in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) have been reported with agents that block HER2 activity. Patients who have received prior anthracyclines, those who received anthracycline after stopping therapy with agents that block HER2 activity, or patients who received prior radiotherapy to the chest area may be at higher risk of decreased LVEF. Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously in patients with a previous history of heart conditions. Evaluate cardiac function before, during, and upon completion of treatment. Withhold or discontinue therapy with agents that block HER2 activity as appropriate, and for a confirmed clinically significant decrease in left ventricular function, or if the LVEF has not improved or has declined further. It is recommended to monitor overall cardiac function and LVEF by echocardiogram or MUGA scan as appropriate.

Pulmonary Impairment

Major:

Tykerb

The lapatinib in Tykerb has a major potential interaction with Pulmonary Impairment.

The use of certain EGFR inhibitors has been associated with pulmonary toxicity. Serious cases of interstitial lung disease (ILD), including fatal cases and interstitial pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis have been reported. Caution is recommended when using these agents in patients with a history of interstitial pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis or those patients presenting with acute onset of new or progressive unexplained pulmonary symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and fever pending diagnostic evaluation. If ILD is confirmed, permanently discontinue these agents and institute appropriate measures.

Major:

Tykerb

The lapatinib in Tykerb has a major potential interaction with Pulmonary Impairment.

Pulmonary toxicity, sometimes fatal has been reported with agents that block HER2 activity. Pulmonary toxicity includes dyspnea, interstitial pneumonitis, pulmonary infiltrates, pleural effusions, non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, pulmonary insufficiency and hypoxia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and pulmonary fibrosis. Patients with symptomatic intrinsic lung disease or with extensive tumor involvement of the lungs, resulting in dyspnea at rest may be at increased risk of pulmonary toxicity and appear to have more severe toxicity. Patients should be monitored for pulmonary symptoms. Permanently discontinue treatment with these agents in patients diagnosed with interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis and institute appropriate care.

Renal Dysfunction

Moderate:

epirubicin

epiRUBicin has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Serum creatinine should be assessed before and during therapy with epirubicin. Dosage adjustment is necessary in patients with serum creatinine >5 mg/dL. Patients undergoing dialysis have not been studied.

Moderate:

Tykerb

The lapatinib in Tykerb has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Lapatinib pharmacokinetics have not been specifically studied in patients with renal impairment or in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Close monitoring is recommended.

Thrombocytopenia

Moderate:

epirubicin

epiRUBicin has a moderate potential interaction with Thrombocytopenia.

Before beginning treatment with epirubicin, patients should recover from any acute toxicities, such as stomatitis, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and generalized infections, of prior cytotoxic treatment.

Moderate:

Tykerb

The lapatinib in Tykerb has a moderate potential interaction with Thrombocytopenia.

Thrombocytopenia has been reported with the use of agents that block HER2 activity. Monitor platelet counts prior to initiation of therapy and prior to each dose. If appropriate modify the dose according to clinical guidelines. Patients with decreased platelet count and patients on anti-coagulant treatment should be closely monitored during treatment with these agents.

Ventricular Arrhythmia

Major:

Tykerb

The lapatinib in Tykerb has a major potential interaction with Ventricular Arrhythmia.

Cardiomyopathy was observed in clinical trials of certain EGFR inhibitors. Assess Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) by echocardiogram or multigated acquisition (MUGA) scan before initiation of these agents and then at 3 month intervals while on treatment. Caution is recommended when prescribing these agents to patients with conditions that could impair left ventricular function and it is recommended to withhold treatment with these agents if ejection fraction drops below the established lower limit of normal. For symptomatic congestive heart failure or persistent, asymptomatic LV dysfunction that does not resolve within 4 weeks, permanently discontinue these agents.

More resources

epirubicin

A total of 718 drugs are known to interact with epirubicin.

Tykerb

A total of 663 drugs are known to interact with Tykerb.

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.