Drug interactions
Grapefruit + Sunitinib
Severity: Moderate
Grapefruit and Sunitinib: 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
Grapefruit juice inhibits intestinal CYP3A4 and may increase sunitinib exposure, raising the risk of toxicity. The magnitude is variable.
What this interaction means in plain words
Grapefruit and Sunitinib 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
Inhibition of intestinal CYP3A4 reduces first-pass metabolism of sunitinib.
What to do
Advise patients to avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice during sunitinib therapy.
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 Sunitinib
- Adagrasib + Sunitinib Major
- Amiodarone + Sunitinib Major
- Amisulpride + Sunitinib Major
- Anagrelide + Sunitinib Major
- Apalutamide + Sunitinib Major
- Arsenic trioxide + Sunitinib Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Grapefruit with Sunitinib?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Grapefruit and Sunitinib 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. Grapefruit juice inhibits intestinal CYP3A4 and may increase sunitinib exposure, raising the risk of toxicity. The magnitude is variable.
How serious is the interaction between Grapefruit and Sunitinib?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise patients to avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice during sunitinib therapy.
What other medicines interact with Sunitinib?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Sunitinib with, for example, Adagrasib, Amiodarone, Amisulpride. The full list is on the Sunitinib page.
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