Drug interactions
Arsenic trioxide + Capecitabine
Severity: Major
Arsenic trioxide and Capecitabine: major interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Arsenic trioxide markedly prolongs the QT interval and can cause torsades de pointes. Fluorouracil-class drugs have rare reports of cardiotoxicity, so the combination adds uncertain additional risk on top of a high baseline risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Arsenic trioxide and Capecitabine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Arsenic trioxide belongs to Oncology; Capecitabine belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Arsenic trioxide blocks cardiac repolarization currents; capecitabine contribution to QT effect is weak and not well established.
What to do
Check baseline ECG and keep potassium and magnesium within normal range. Monitor ECG during treatment and avoid other QT-prolonging drugs.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Arsenic trioxide and Capecitabine, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Capecitabine
Other interactions of Arsenic trioxide
- Amiodarone + Arsenic trioxide Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Arsenic trioxide Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Clomipramine Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Fluphenazine Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Gemifloxacin Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Arsenic trioxide with Capecitabine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Arsenic trioxide and Capecitabine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Arsenic trioxide markedly prolongs the QT interval and can cause torsades de pointes. Fluorouracil-class drugs have rare reports of cardiotoxicity, so the combination adds uncertain additional risk on top of a high baseline risk.
How serious is the interaction between Arsenic trioxide and Capecitabine?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check baseline ECG and keep potassium and magnesium within normal range. Monitor ECG during treatment and avoid other QT-prolonging drugs.
What other medicines interact with Capecitabine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Capecitabine with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Axicabtagene ciloleucel, Brexucabtagene autoleucel. The full list is on the Capecitabine page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
