Drug interactions
Capecitabine + Ibutilide
Severity: Major
Capecitabine and Ibutilide: 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
Ibutilide is a class III antiarrhythmic with a substantial, well-known risk of torsades de pointes. Capecitabine may add some QT-prolonging effect, which increases the proarrhythmic risk in an already high-risk setting.
What this interaction means in plain words
Capecitabine and Ibutilide 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.
Capecitabine belongs to Oncology; Ibutilide belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive prolongation of cardiac repolarization; ibutilide blocks delayed rectifier potassium current.
What to do
Give ibutilide only with continuous ECG monitoring and with potassium and magnesium corrected. Consider an alternative cardioversion approach in patients taking capecitabine who have other QT risk factors.
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?
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Other interactions of Capecitabine
Other interactions of Ibutilide
- Amiodarone + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Chlorpromazine + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Desipramine + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Dolasetron + Ibutilide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Capecitabine with Ibutilide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Capecitabine and Ibutilide 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. Ibutilide is a class III antiarrhythmic with a substantial, well-known risk of torsades de pointes. Capecitabine may add some QT-prolonging effect, which increases the proarrhythmic risk in an already high-risk setting.
How serious is the interaction between Capecitabine and Ibutilide?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Give ibutilide only with continuous ECG monitoring and with potassium and magnesium corrected. Consider an alternative cardioversion approach in patients taking capecitabine who have other QT risk factors.
What other medicines interact with Capecitabine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Capecitabine with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Arsenic trioxide, Axicabtagene ciloleucel. The full list is on the Capecitabine page.
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