Drug interactions
Ceritinib + Lorlatinib
Severity: Major
Ceritinib and Lorlatinib: major interaction.
Last updated Sources: US FDA label
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
Ceritinib is a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor and can increase lorlatinib levels, raising the risk of hyperlipidaemia, CNS effects and PR interval prolongation. Both drugs are ALK inhibitors, so the combination has no established clinical rationale.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ceritinib and Lorlatinib 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.
Ceritinib belongs to Oncology; Lorlatinib belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Ceritinib inhibits CYP3A4, reducing lorlatinib clearance.
What to do
Avoid the combination. If it is unavoidable, reduce the lorlatinib dose per labeling and monitor lipids, ECG and neurocognitive symptoms.
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 Ceritinib and Lorlatinib, 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 7 days on the web. No card needed.
References
Other interactions of Lorlatinib
- Amobarbital + Lorlatinib Contraindicated
- Apalutamide + Lorlatinib Contraindicated
- Butabarbital + Lorlatinib Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Lorlatinib Contraindicated
- Enzalutamide + Lorlatinib Contraindicated
- Fosphenytoin + Lorlatinib Contraindicated
Other interactions of Ceritinib
- Ceritinib + Cisapride Contraindicated
- Ceritinib + Eletriptan Contraindicated
- Ceritinib + Flibanserin Contraindicated
- Ceritinib + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Ceritinib + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Ceritinib + Tolvaptan Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ceritinib with Lorlatinib?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Ceritinib and Lorlatinib 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. Ceritinib is a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor and can increase lorlatinib levels, raising the risk of hyperlipidaemia, CNS effects and PR interval prolongation. Both drugs are ALK inhibitors, so the combination has no established clinical rationale.
How serious is the interaction between Ceritinib and Lorlatinib?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination. If it is unavoidable, reduce the lorlatinib dose per labeling and monitor lipids, ECG and neurocognitive symptoms.
What other medicines interact with Lorlatinib?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Lorlatinib with, for example, Amobarbital, Apalutamide, Butabarbital. The full list is on the Lorlatinib 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.
