Drug interactions
Imatinib + Lapatinib
Severity: Moderate
Imatinib and Lapatinib: 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
Lapatinib inhibits P-glycoprotein and CYP3A4 and may raise imatinib concentrations. Lapatinib is also a CYP3A4 substrate that imatinib may affect, so both drugs' exposure may rise.
What this interaction means in plain words
Imatinib and Lapatinib 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.
Imatinib belongs to Oncology; Lapatinib belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Inhibition of P-glycoprotein and CYP3A4 by lapatinib reduces imatinib efflux and clearance.
What to do
Monitor for imatinib toxicity such as edema, cytopenias and liver enzyme elevation, and for lapatinib toxicity including diarrhea and QT prolongation. Reduce doses if adverse effects occur.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Imatinib and Lapatinib, 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 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Imatinib
- Imatinib + Lomitapide Contraindicated
- Imatinib + Lonafarnib Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Imatinib Major
- Apalutamide + Imatinib Major
- Avapritinib + Imatinib Major
- Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen + Imatinib Major
Other interactions of Lapatinib
- Dofetilide + Lapatinib Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Lapatinib Contraindicated
- Lapatinib + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Lapatinib + Saquinavir Contraindicated
- Lapatinib + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Lapatinib Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Imatinib with Lapatinib?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Imatinib and Lapatinib 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. Lapatinib inhibits P-glycoprotein and CYP3A4 and may raise imatinib concentrations. Lapatinib is also a CYP3A4 substrate that imatinib may affect, so both drugs' exposure may rise.
How serious is the interaction between Imatinib and Lapatinib?
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 imatinib toxicity such as edema, cytopenias and liver enzyme elevation, and for lapatinib toxicity including diarrhea and QT prolongation. Reduce doses if adverse effects occur.
What other medicines interact with Imatinib?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Imatinib with, for example, Lomitapide, Lonafarnib, Amobarbital. The full list is on the Imatinib 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.
