Drug interactions
Cimetidine + Etoposide
Severity: Moderate
Cimetidine and Etoposide: 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
Cimetidine may increase etoposide exposure and potentially worsen myelosuppression. Data are limited and the effect appears modest.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cimetidine and Etoposide 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.
Cimetidine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Etoposide belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Cimetidine may reduce CYP3A4-mediated metabolism and renal clearance of etoposide.
What to do
Monitor blood counts closely or use famotidine or a proton pump inhibitor instead of cimetidine.
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 Cimetidine
- Cimetidine + Dofetilide Contraindicated
- Cimetidine + Fezolinetant Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Cimetidine Major
- Atazanavir + Cimetidine Major
- Carmustine + Cimetidine Major
- Cimetidine + Citalopram Major
Other interactions of Etoposide
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Etoposide Contraindicated
- Etoposide + Pentostatin Contraindicated
- Cyclosporin + Etoposide Major
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Etoposide Major
- Etoposide + Fingolimod Major
- Etoposide + Fosphenytoin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cimetidine with Etoposide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cimetidine and Etoposide 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. Cimetidine may increase etoposide exposure and potentially worsen myelosuppression. Data are limited and the effect appears modest.
How serious is the interaction between Cimetidine and Etoposide?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor blood counts closely or use famotidine or a proton pump inhibitor instead of cimetidine.
What other medicines interact with Cimetidine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cimetidine with, for example, Dofetilide, Fezolinetant, Alfentanil. The full list is on the Cimetidine page.
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