Drug Interaction Report

Deferasirox may reduce the blood levels of erlotinib, which may make the medication less effective in some cases. Contact your doctor if your symptoms worsen or your condition changes. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring to safely use both medications. 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.

Erlotinib should be taken on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal and at the same time each day unless otherwise directed by your doctor. You should also avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking erlotinib. Food and grapefruit juice can increase the absorption of erlotinib from the gastrointestinal tract, which may lead to higher blood levels of the medication and possibly increased side effects. If you are a smoker, you should try to quit as soon as you can. Cigarette smoking can reduce the blood levels of erlotinib, which may make the medication less effective in treating your cancer. It is best to avoid smoking during erlotinib therapy. Talk to a healthcare professional if you have any questions or concerns. If you start smoking or undergo smoking cessation, your doctor may need to adjust your dose of erlotinib. 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.

You may experience reduced absorption of deferasirox in the presence of food. Take deferasirox on an empty stomach 30 minutes before eating preferably at the same time everyday unless otherwise directed by your doctor. This will make it easier for your body to absorb the medication. The tablets should not be chewed or swallowed whole. The tablets should first be completely dispersed in water, orange juice, or apple juice, and the resulting suspension drunk immediately. After swallowing the suspension any residue should be resuspended in a small volume of the liquid and swallowed.