Drug interactions
Canagliflozin-metformin + Lithium
Severity: Moderate
Canagliflozin-metformin 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 lower serum lithium concentrations, potentially reducing mood-stabilizing efficacy. Changes in volume status or renal function can also alter lithium clearance unpredictably.
What this interaction means in plain words
Canagliflozin-metformin 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-metformin belongs to Endocrine; Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Altered renal sodium and lithium handling with SGLT2 inhibition changes lithium clearance; the exact mechanism is not fully established.
What to do
Check serum lithium more frequently when starting canagliflozin or changing its dose. Adjust the lithium dose to maintain the target level.
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 Canagliflozin-metformin
Other interactions of Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Canagliflozin-metformin with Lithium?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Canagliflozin-metformin 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 lower serum lithium concentrations, potentially reducing mood-stabilizing efficacy. Changes in volume status or renal function can also alter lithium clearance unpredictably.
How serious is the interaction between Canagliflozin-metformin 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: Check serum lithium more frequently when starting canagliflozin or changing its dose. Adjust the lithium dose to maintain the target level.
What other medicines interact with Canagliflozin-metformin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Canagliflozin-metformin with, for example, Contrast media, Diatrizoate, Diatrizoate meglumine / diatrizoate. The full list is on the Canagliflozin-metformin page.
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