Drug interactions
Erlotinib + Ibuprofen / famotidine
Severity: Moderate
Erlotinib and Ibuprofen / famotidine: 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
Famotidine raises gastric pH, and erlotinib absorption depends on an acidic environment. Exposure to erlotinib may fall, reducing efficacy. Ibuprofen contributes no relevant effect on absorption.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erlotinib and Ibuprofen / famotidine 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
Reduced gastric acidity decreases erlotinib solubility and absorption.
What to do
Avoid if possible. If an H2 antagonist is needed, give erlotinib at least 2 hours before and 10 hours after the H2 antagonist dose.
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 Erlotinib with Ibuprofen / famotidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Erlotinib and Ibuprofen / famotidine 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. Famotidine raises gastric pH, and erlotinib absorption depends on an acidic environment. Exposure to erlotinib may fall, reducing efficacy. Ibuprofen contributes no relevant effect on absorption.
How serious is the interaction between Erlotinib and Ibuprofen / famotidine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid if possible. If an H2 antagonist is needed, give erlotinib at least 2 hours before and 10 hours after the H2 antagonist dose.
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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