Skip to content

Drug interactions

Etoposide + Tucatinib

Severity: Major

Etoposide and Tucatinib: 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

Tucatinib is a strong CYP3A inhibitor and also inhibits P-gp, and etoposide is partly metabolised by CYP3A4. Exposure to etoposide may rise and increase the risk of bone marrow suppression and other toxicities.

What this interaction means in plain words

Etoposide and Tucatinib 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.

Etoposide belongs to Oncology; Tucatinib belongs to Oncology.

Evidence level: Low

Why it happens

Tucatinib inhibits CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein, reducing etoposide metabolism and efflux.

What to do

Avoid the combination where possible. If unavoidable, monitor blood counts closely and consider lowering the etoposide dose.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

Pro+ members

Unlock the full page

Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Etoposide and Tucatinib, 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.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Etoposide with Tucatinib?

MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Etoposide and Tucatinib 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. Tucatinib is a strong CYP3A inhibitor and also inhibits P-gp, and etoposide is partly metabolised by CYP3A4. Exposure to etoposide may rise and increase the risk of bone marrow suppression and other toxicities.

How serious is the interaction between Etoposide and Tucatinib?

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 the combination where possible. If unavoidable, monitor blood counts closely and consider lowering the etoposide dose.

What other medicines interact with Etoposide?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Etoposide with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Pentostatin, Cyclosporin. The full list is on the Etoposide 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.

Browse A–Z · Drug interactions

Get the app Sign in