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Drug interactions

Azithromycin + Lapatinib

Severity: Moderate

Azithromycin and Lapatinib: moderate 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

Both drugs can prolong the QT interval, so used together they may increase the risk of serious ventricular arrhythmias. Patients with heart disease, electrolyte abnormalities or other QT-prolonging therapy are at greatest risk.

What this interaction means in plain words

Azithromycin and Lapatinib can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.

Azithromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Lapatinib belongs to Oncology.

Evidence level: Low

Why it happens

Additive QTc prolongation through hERG channel inhibition.

What to do

Check baseline ECG and correct potassium and magnesium before use together. Repeat ECG monitoring during therapy and consider an alternative antibiotic in high-risk patients.

What to ask your pharmacist

  • Should I take them at different times of day?
  • Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
  • Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Azithromycin with Lapatinib?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Azithromycin and Lapatinib can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both drugs can prolong the QT interval, so used together they may increase the risk of serious ventricular arrhythmias. Patients with heart disease, electrolyte abnormalities or other QT-prolonging therapy are at greatest risk.

How serious is the interaction between Azithromycin and Lapatinib?

MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check baseline ECG and correct potassium and magnesium before use together. Repeat ECG monitoring during therapy and consider an alternative antibiotic in high-risk patients.

What other medicines interact with Azithromycin?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Azithromycin with, for example, Cisapride, Domperidone, Dronedarone. The full list is on the Azithromycin 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.

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