Drug interactions
Crizotinib + Lithium
Severity: Moderate
Crizotinib and Lithium: 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
Crizotinib can prolong the QT interval and cause bradycardia, and lithium may add to arrhythmia risk. The combination is of particular concern in patients with electrolyte abnormalities or heart disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Crizotinib and Lithium 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.
Crizotinib belongs to Oncology; Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive effects on cardiac repolarization leading to QT prolongation.
What to do
Monitor ECG and electrolytes at baseline and periodically during treatment. Correct potassium and magnesium, and reduce or stop crizotinib if QT prolongation becomes significant.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Crizotinib and Lithium, 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 Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Other interactions of Crizotinib
- Crizotinib + Flibanserin Contraindicated
- Crizotinib + Lomitapide Contraindicated
- Crizotinib + Lonafarnib Contraindicated
- Crizotinib + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Crizotinib + Saquinavir Contraindicated
- Crizotinib + Thioridazine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Crizotinib with Lithium?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Crizotinib and Lithium 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. Crizotinib can prolong the QT interval and cause bradycardia, and lithium may add to arrhythmia risk. The combination is of particular concern in patients with electrolyte abnormalities or heart disease.
How serious is the interaction between Crizotinib and Lithium?
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 ECG and electrolytes at baseline and periodically during treatment. Correct potassium and magnesium, and reduce or stop crizotinib if QT prolongation becomes significant.
What other medicines interact with Lithium?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Lithium with, for example, Thioridazine, Vandetanib, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Lithium 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.
