Can you take Flibanserin with Thalidomide?
1 drug interaction and 11 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:
- flibanserin
- thalidomide
Drug interactions
Moderate drug interactions
Moderate:
thalidomide flibanserin
Applies to: thalidomide and flibanserin
Using flibanserin together with thalidomide may increase side effects such as:
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- fatigue
- difficulty concentrating
You should avoid the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery for at least 6 hours after taking flibanserin and until you know how the medications affect you.
Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. 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
Major food/lifestyle interactions
Major:
flibanserin Food/Lifestyle
Applies to: flibanserin
Do not use alcohol too close to the dosing time of flibanserin. Doing so can cause excessive drowsiness and decreases in blood pressure, which may lead to:
- dizziness
- lightheadedness
- fainting
- accidental injury
What to do: Take flibanserin at bedtime to minimize the risk of these effects. It is recommended that you stop drinking alcohol at least two hours before taking flibanserin; otherwise, you should just skip the flibanserin dose that evening. Alcohol should not be consumed until at least the morning after taking flibanserin at bedtime.
Because grapefruit juice can significantly increase the blood levels of flibanserin, you should also avoid the consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during treatment.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns. 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.
Moderate food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate:
thalidomide Food/Lifestyle
Applies to: thalidomide
Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of thalidomide such as:
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- difficulty concentrating
Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment.
You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with thalidomide.
Do not use more than the recommended dose of thalidomide, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.
Disease interactions
9 potential interactions Applies to: 8 conditions, including Seizures, Peripheral Neuropathy, Hypotension, HIV-1 Infection, and Syncope.
Alcoholism
Major:
flibanserin
Flibanserin has a major potential interaction with Alcoholism.
The use of flibanserin is contraindicated along with the ingestion of alcohol, as it increases the risk of hypotension and syncope. It is important to assess the likelihood of the patient abstaining from alcohol, taking into account the current and past drinking behavior.
HIV-1 Infection
Moderate:
thalidomide
Thalidomide has a moderate potential interaction with HIV-1 Infection.
In two separate studies involving HIV-seropositive patients, the use of thalidomide was associated with an increase in plasma viral RNA levels. The clinical significance of this finding is unknown. Both studies were published prior to the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy, or HAART. Until more information is available, the interim recommendation is to measure the viral load after the first and third months of thalidomide treatment and every 3 months thereafter (or as often as indicated by the patient's antiretroviral regimen and clinical status).
Hypotension
Major:
flibanserin
Flibanserin has a major potential interaction with Hypotension.
The use of flibanserin can cause hypotension and syncope. The benefits and risks of therapy should be considered in patients with preexisting conditions that predispose to hypotension. Flibanserin should be used with caution in these patients.
Moderate:
thalidomide
Thalidomide has a moderate potential interaction with Hypotension.
The use of thalidomide has been associated with dizziness and orthostatic hypotension. Therapy with thalidomide should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting hypotension. Rising slowly from a recumbent position is recommended.
Liver Disease
Major:
flibanserin
Flibanserin has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.
Flibanserin may accumulate in patients with hepatic impairment. Therapy with flibanserin is contraindicated in patients with compromised hepatic function.
Neutropenia
Moderate:
thalidomide
Thalidomide has a moderate potential interaction with Neutropenia.
The use of thalidomide has been associated with decreased white blood cells counts, including neutropenia. Therapy with thalidomide should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting neutropenia. Treatment should not be initiated if absolute neutrophil count is below 750/mm3. Monitoring white blood cell count and differential routinely is recommended during treatment.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Moderate:
thalidomide
Thalidomide has a moderate potential interaction with Peripheral Neuropathy.
The use of thalidomide has been associated with the development of peripheral neuropathy, which is sometimes irreversible. Therapy with thalidomide should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting neuropathy and only after the neuropathy has returned to baseline. Patients should be monitored routinely for early signs of neuropathy including numbness, tingling, pain, or a burning sensation in the hands or feet. If symptoms of drug-induced neuropathy develop, thalidomide should be discontinued immediately.
Seizures
Moderate:
thalidomide
Thalidomide has a moderate potential interaction with Seizures.
Seizures, including grand mal convulsions, have been reported during post-approval use of thalidomide in clinical practice. Because these events are reported voluntarily from a population of unknown size, estimates of frequency cannot be made. Most patients had disorders that may have predisposed them to seizure activity, and it is not currently known whether thalidomide has any epileptogenic influence. During therapy with thalidomide, patients with a history of seizures or with other risk factors for the development of seizures should be monitored closely for clinical changes that could precipitate acute seizure activity.
Syncope
Major:
flibanserin
Flibanserin has a major potential interaction with Syncope.
The use of flibanserin can cause hypotension and syncope. The benefits and risks of therapy should be considered in patients with preexisting conditions that predispose to hypotension. Flibanserin should be used with caution in these patients.
More resources
flibanserin
A total of 517 drugs are known to interact with flibanserin.
- Flibanserin is in the drug class miscellaneous central nervous system agents.
- Flibanserin is used to treat Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder.
thalidomide
A total of 863 drugs are known to interact with thalidomide.
- Thalidomide is in the following drug classes: miscellaneous antineoplastics, other immunosuppressants.
- Thalidomide is used to treat the following conditions:
Drug Interaction Classification
| Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. | |
| Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. | |
| 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. | |
| No interaction information available. |
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.