Drug interactions
Epirubicin + Trastuzumab
Severity: Major
Epirubicin and Trastuzumab: major 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
Concurrent or sequential use of trastuzumab with anthracyclines such as epirubicin increases the incidence and severity of cardiomyopathy. Heart failure may develop and be clinically significant.
What this interaction means in plain words
Epirubicin and Trastuzumab 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.
Epirubicin belongs to Oncology; Trastuzumab belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Additive cardiotoxicity from anthracycline injury and HER2 pathway inhibition.
What to do
Avoid concurrent use outside protocols with strict cardiac surveillance. Check LVEF at baseline and periodically, and hold therapy if LVEF declines significantly.
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?
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Other interactions of Epirubicin
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Epirubicin Contraindicated
- Belatacept + Epirubicin Major
- Cimetidine + Epirubicin Major
- Deferiprone + Epirubicin Major
- Dengue vaccine + Epirubicin Major
- Epirubicin + Etrasimod Major
Other interactions of Trastuzumab
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Epirubicin with Trastuzumab?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Epirubicin and Trastuzumab 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. Concurrent or sequential use of trastuzumab with anthracyclines such as epirubicin increases the incidence and severity of cardiomyopathy. Heart failure may develop and be clinically significant.
How serious is the interaction between Epirubicin and Trastuzumab?
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 concurrent use outside protocols with strict cardiac surveillance. Check LVEF at baseline and periodically, and hold therapy if LVEF declines significantly.
What other medicines interact with Epirubicin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Epirubicin with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Belatacept, Cimetidine. The full list is on the Epirubicin page.
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