Drug interactions
Cimetidine + Imatinib
Severity: Minor
Cimetidine and Imatinib: minor 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 modestly increase imatinib exposure, which could increase fluid retention, nausea and myelosuppression. The effect is expected to be small.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cimetidine and Imatinib have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Cimetidine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Imatinib belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Cimetidine weakly inhibits CYP3A4, the main enzyme metabolizing imatinib.
What to do
No empirical dose change is needed. Monitor for imatinib adverse effects and blood counts.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Cimetidine and Imatinib, 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.
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 Imatinib
- Imatinib + Lomitapide Contraindicated
- Imatinib + Lonafarnib Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Imatinib Major
- Apalutamide + Imatinib Major
- Avapritinib + Imatinib Major
- Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen + Imatinib Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cimetidine with Imatinib?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Cimetidine and Imatinib have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Cimetidine may modestly increase imatinib exposure, which could increase fluid retention, nausea and myelosuppression. The effect is expected to be small.
How serious is the interaction between Cimetidine and Imatinib?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No empirical dose change is needed. Monitor for imatinib adverse effects and blood counts.
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.
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.
