Drug interactions
Erlotinib + Nelfinavir
Severity: Moderate
Erlotinib and Nelfinavir: 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
Nelfinavir inhibits CYP3A4 and may raise erlotinib plasma levels. This can increase adverse effects such as rash, diarrhea and interstitial lung disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erlotinib and Nelfinavir 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.
Erlotinib belongs to Oncology; Nelfinavir belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Nelfinavir inhibits CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of erlotinib.
What to do
Monitor for erlotinib toxicity such as severe rash and diarrhea. Reduce the erlotinib dose stepwise if toxicity develops.
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
Other interactions of Nelfinavir
- Alfuzosin + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Avanafil + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Ergotamine + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Flibanserin + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erlotinib with Nelfinavir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Erlotinib and Nelfinavir 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. Nelfinavir inhibits CYP3A4 and may raise erlotinib plasma levels. This can increase adverse effects such as rash, diarrhea and interstitial lung disease.
How serious is the interaction between Erlotinib and Nelfinavir?
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 for erlotinib toxicity such as severe rash and diarrhea. Reduce the erlotinib dose stepwise if toxicity develops.
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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