Drug interactions
Canagliflozin + Lithium
Severity: Moderate
Canagliflozin and Lithium: 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
SGLT2 inhibitors may change serum lithium concentrations, with reports of reduced levels that could lead to loss of mood stabilization. Volume depletion from these drugs could also raise lithium levels in some patients, so effects are unpredictable.
What this interaction means in plain words
Canagliflozin and Lithium 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.
Canagliflozin belongs to Endocrine; Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Altered renal sodium handling and volume status from SGLT2 inhibition may change renal lithium clearance; the mechanism is not firmly established.
What to do
Measure serum lithium before starting and after initiation or dose changes of the SGLT2 inhibitor. Adjust the lithium dose according to levels and clinical response.
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?
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Other interactions of Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Other interactions of Canagliflozin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Canagliflozin with Lithium?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Canagliflozin and Lithium 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. SGLT2 inhibitors may change serum lithium concentrations, with reports of reduced levels that could lead to loss of mood stabilization. Volume depletion from these drugs could also raise lithium levels in some patients, so effects are unpredictable.
How serious is the interaction between Canagliflozin and Lithium?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Measure serum lithium before starting and after initiation or dose changes of the SGLT2 inhibitor. Adjust the lithium dose according to levels and clinical response.
What other medicines interact with Lithium?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Lithium with, for example, Thioridazine, Vandetanib, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Lithium page.
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