Drug interactions
Cigarette smoking + Erlotinib
Severity: Moderate
Cigarette smoking and Erlotinib: 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
Tobacco smoke increases erlotinib clearance, lowering drug exposure in smokers. This can reduce efficacy if the dose is not adjusted.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cigarette smoking and Erlotinib 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.
Why it happens
Polycyclic hydrocarbons in smoke induce CYP1A1 and CYP1A2, increasing erlotinib metabolism.
What to do
Advise patients to stop smoking. If they continue, cautiously increase the erlotinib dose as labeled and return to the standard dose after cessation.
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 Erlotinib
- Amobarbital + Erlotinib Major
- Apalutamide + Erlotinib Major
- Carbamazepine + Erlotinib Major
- Cobicistat + Erlotinib Major
- Darunavir + Erlotinib Major
- Dexlansoprazole + Erlotinib Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cigarette smoking with Erlotinib?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cigarette smoking and Erlotinib 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. Tobacco smoke increases erlotinib clearance, lowering drug exposure in smokers. This can reduce efficacy if the dose is not adjusted.
How serious is the interaction between Cigarette smoking and Erlotinib?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise patients to stop smoking. If they continue, cautiously increase the erlotinib dose as labeled and return to the standard dose after cessation.
What other medicines interact with Erlotinib?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Erlotinib with, for example, Amobarbital, Apalutamide, Carbamazepine. The full list is on the Erlotinib page.
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